Majorette Aaliyah, 12, marching back thanks to cancer drug breakthrough
A GIRL who was one of the first to receive a pioneering brain cancer drug is back at school and twirling her majorette baton.
Aaliyah, 12, has made amazing progress since receiving the drug dabrafenib, along with trametinib, through a trial at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.
The drug, which slows down the cancer and spares children the harsh effects of chemotherapy, will now be rolled out on the NHS for patients aged one to 17.Around 30 youngsters with a gene mutation responsible for uncontrollable tumour growth are expected to benefit each year.
Aaliyah, who was diagnosed with a glioma growth in 2018, said: “I’m able to just take tablets twice a day, rather than be in hospital to have chemotherapy.
“I’ve been able to start secondary school, go to pretty much all my lessons and carry on hobbies like being a majorette. I’m really pleased other children will be able to have this treatment. It will make a real difference.”
Suki Sandhu, who lost her son Raj, eight, to a glioma in 2018, said: “I am so pleased this drug has been approved on the NHS.
“We need kinder drugs and new treatments like this.”
NHS national clinical director for cancer, Professor Peter Johnson, called the NHS approval “fantastic news”.