London – A groundbreaking antibody-drug conjugate, often referred to as "Trojan horse" therapy, will now be available on the NHS in England for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma. This world-first rollout offers a promising new option for a cancer that remains incurable.
Myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow, affects approximately 33,000 people in the UK. While standard treatments can control the disease temporarily, most patients eventually relapse.
The newly approved therapy, belantamab mafodotin, will be offered to patients who no longer respond to first-line treatments. It is expected to benefit around 1,500 patients per year.
Belantamab mafodotin is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)—a sophisticated chemotherapy delivery system that minimizes damage to healthy tissues.
The drug works by linking a potent chemotherapy agent to an antibody specifically designed to recognize proteins on the surface of cancerous plasma cells. After binding to these cells, the antibody is absorbed, releasing the toxic payload directly inside the cancer cell. This "Trojan horse" approach significantly limits systemic exposure.
In clinical trials, the therapy nearly tripled progression-free survival, halting cancer for up to three years, compared to 13 months with conventional treatments.
Patients also report a better quality of life. Paul Silvester, a 60-year-old patient from Sheffield, entered remission within weeks of starting the treatment under an early access program.
"Other treatments would have left me isolated in my bedroom for months," he said. "This has been absolutely life-changing.
The treatment is administered via intravenous infusion, typically taking around 30 minutes. Some patients receive it every three weeks, while others, like Silvester, receive it every two months as researchers continue to optimize dosing schedules.
Common side effects include dry eyes and blurred vision, due to residual chemotherapy circulating after cancer cell destruction.
This NHS decision follows a positive review by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), which deemed the therapy cost-effective. It marks a major milestone for UK-based pharmaceutical research, as GSK developed the therapy with early studies conducted in Stevenage and London.
Professor Martin Kaiser from the Institute of Cancer Research called these "very smart drugs", noting the significant reduction in side effects compared to older treatments.
While multiple myeloma remains incurable, experts like Prof. Kaiser believe therapies like this may push long-term remission rates above 50% within the next five years.
Research on ADCs is ongoing for various cancers, including breast, stomach, and bowel cancers, as scientists work to develop cancer-specific targeting antibodies.
Shelagh McKinlay from Myeloma UK hailed the NHS approval as a "transformative moment" for thousands of patients.
UK Health Minister Karin Smyth added: "This ground-breaking therapy puts the NHS at the forefront of cancer innovation."
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