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New Cancer Drugs Are Revolutionary. Why Don’t More Patients Get Them?
Confirmed
In Short: The story of John Ebers, a colorectal cancer patient, highlights the importance of biomarker testing in finding alternative treatments.
A new injectable form of the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is set to be rolled out for patients in England and Wales from Monday, but Northern Ireland patients are still waiting for access.
Lawler emphasized that the new injectable version of Keytruda, which helps the body's immune system attack cancer cells, is a significant development in cancer treatment.
The treatment, currently administered through a drip that can take more than an hour, will be given as a one-minute injection every three weeks or a two-minute injection every six weeks, depending on the patient's diagnosis.
The Department of Health (DoH) in Northern Ireland said it is aware of the drug and is exploring how to make it available to patients as soon as possible.
Lawler noted that the drug's availability in Northern Ireland is likely a financial issue, though he cannot comment specifically on this.
He added, 'A really novel approach to treating cancer which is probably the biggest development in the last 25 years in terms of immunotherapy.
The new form of the drug is expected to save patients and staff valuable time, reducing hospital stays for thousands of NHS patients.
Meanwhile, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance is working to improve access to better treatments through initiatives like Project Cure CRC and KLEOS.
Christopher Lieu, a scientific medical advisor to the Alliance, highlighted the importance of biomarker testing in finding less toxic treatments that could prolong patients' lives.
In a separate development, Kffhealthnews reported on the misuse of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes, raising ethical concerns about patient care.
The new injectable form of Keytruda is expected to significantly reduce hospital time for patients.
The BBC quotes the DoH as saying they are exploring ways to make the drug available in Northern Ireland as soon as possible.
Background
Marjorie Tingley's adult sons contest Vista Grande Villa's use of antipsychotic drugs for their mother with dementia.
What's confirmed
- A new injectable form of the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is set to be rolled out for patients in England and Wales from Monday, but Northern Ireland patients are still waiting for access.
- Lawler emphasized that the new injectable version of Keytruda, which helps the body's immune system attack cancer cells, is a significant development in cancer treatment.
- The treatment, currently administered through a drip that can take more than an hour, will be given as a one-minute injection every three weeks or a two-minute injection every six weeks, depending on the patient's diagnosis.
- The Department of Health (DoH) in Northern Ireland said it is aware of the drug and is exploring how to make it available to patients as soon as possible.
- Lawler noted that the drug's availability in Northern Ireland is likely a financial issue, though he cannot comment specifically on this.
- He added, 'A really novel approach to treating cancer which is probably the biggest development in the last 25 years in terms of immunotherapy.
- The new form of the drug is expected to save patients and staff valuable time, reducing hospital stays for thousands of NHS patients.
- Meanwhile, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance is working to improve access to better treatments through initiatives like Project Cure CRC and KLEOS.
- Christopher Lieu, a scientific medical advisor to the Alliance, highlighted the importance of biomarker testing in finding less toxic treatments that could prolong patients' lives.
- In a separate development, Kffhealthnews reported on the misuse of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes, raising ethical concerns about patient care.
- The new injectable form of Keytruda is expected to significantly reduce hospital time for patients.
- The BBC quotes the DoH as saying they are exploring ways to make the drug available in Northern Ireland as soon as possible.
What's still developing
- Prof Mark Lawler, from Queen's University Belfast, said the scientific community will be "calling out" for patients to have rapid access to the drug.
- Why Don’t More Patients Get Them?’ It spotlights the story of John Ebers, a CRC patient whose first doctor didn’t tell him about biomarker testing for targeted therapies, which could have provided an alternative to the toxic effects of chemotherapy.
- “They just wanted to have her drugged up,” David Tingley, one of her five sons, said about Vista Grande in an interview.
- The medications come with risks: The Food and Drug Administration requires pharmaceutical companies to warn that these potent drugs increase the chance of death in older people with Alzheimer’s and similar diseases.
- While some families and guardians agree that the benefits of these drugs outweigh the risks, those with misgivings confront a wrenching choice: consent to drugging loved ones or risk eviction from a long-term care facility.
- "I understand there are issues but we are giving out about waiting times, this is one approach that would actually save us some time," he added.
- The Police Service of Northern Ireland said anyone found to have blocked the Garvaghy Road will be treated as participating in an "illegal protest".
- "Certainly the capacity isn't an issue because it saves time… it's not a logistical problem, it must be a financial problem."