Hundreds of patients in England suffering from a rare and aggressive form of eye cancer, uveal melanoma, will soon benefit from a pioneering treatment, the NHS has announced.
Following approval by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the drug tebentafusp—marketed as Kimmtrak—will be available to those whose cancer cannot be treated surgically or has spread to other parts of the body.
Uveal melanoma affects approximately 500 to 600 people in the UK annually. It originates in the middle layer of the eye and becomes almost invariably fatal once it spreads to major organs, according to NHS data.
Patients must undergo a blood test to determine if they have specific genetic markers necessary for the treatment. NICE estimates that more than 100 people each year will qualify for the drug.
Joanne Foster, a 57-year-old from Newcastle, is among those who have already experienced the benefits of tebentafusp.
iagnosed with uveal melanoma in 2013, Foster received the drug last year through a compassionate access scheme after her cancer metastasised to her lungs and kidneys.
Reflecting on her journey, Foster described the physical and emotional toll of living with the disease.
“I’ve had my eye removed and endured ongoing treatment for over a decade. The uncertainty has been incredibly difficult, especially with no treatments available until now,” she said.
Foster hailed the availability of tebentafusp as “the best early Christmas present,” adding: “While I know it isn’t a long-term cure, it has shrunk the tumour on my kidney and stabilised my lung cancer, giving me precious time with my family.”
Tebentafusp works by binding to proteins on cancer cells and T cells, a type of white blood cell. This mechanism enhances the immune system’s ability to identify and destroy cancer cells, thereby slowing disease progression.
Clinical trials have shown promising results. NHS England reports that patients on tebentafusp have a 27% chance of surviving three years after starting treatment, compared to 18% for those on standard therapies.
Additionally, the drug extends overall survival to an average of 21.6 months, up from 16.9 months with current treatments.
This development marks a significant step forward in the fight against uveal melanoma, offering new hope to patients and their families.
