NICE approval of new treatment for mesothelioma

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We welcome the recent NICE approval of dual immunotherapy drugs ipilimumab and nivolumab (ipi-nivo) for mesothelioma patients. It is the first new drug to be approved by the NHS in fourteen years and offers mesothelioma patients the hope of improved survival rate as illustrated by the checkmate 743 phase 3 trial.

Immunotherapy treatment will now be available to those with both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma and offers what is hoped to be a less toxic drugs regime than chemotherapy, which until now has been the standard of care.

Immunotherapy will continue to be available as a second line of treatment for those who commenced chemotherapy treatment before 14 July 2022.

Our Helen Childs said:

“Obviously the decision of what drug regime is most appropriate is one that is made by the patient and their clinical team. It is really heartening to see that another line of treatment is now available for those with mesothelioma. However, those who wish to access a bespoke medical treatment regime should still be able to do so within the context of a normal civil legal claim.”

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Anyone with any questions about their treatment regime can contact either Mesothelioma UK or Hele Childs by email [email protected] or by telephone 0207 842 1444.