Cancer miracle cure to be given on NHS

Thousands a year could beat killer

THE NHS is to offer cancer patients revolutionary therapy that teaches the body to attack rogue cells.

US trials showed it eradicated the disease in 94% of patients.

The pioneering immunotherapy treatment has shown promise for blood cancers which affect 30,000 Brits a year.

NHS boss Simon Stevens will announce today that hospitals are preparing to use it for the first time.

It is understood hundreds of NHS patients could benefit initially from the rollout of the treatment.

The Daily Mirror was first to report the original breakthrough of the treatment, known as CAR-T cell therapy, when doctors unveiled it at the world’s largest cancer conference in Chicago.

It involves taking a blood sample and genetically altering the body’s killer cells.

These are injected back into the body where they multiply and attack cancers. A trial presented to the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago showed it eradicated the disease in eight of nine patients. Patients had an aggressive form of cancer considered incurable – chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Yet six months after treatment they had no traces of the disease. Speaking at the Association of British Pharmaceucancer ticals Industry annual conference today, Mr Stevens will announce the “game changer” could be available by next year.

He is expected to say: “Preparations are underway to make CAR-T, one of the most innovative treatments ever offered on the NHS, but manufacturers need to set fair and affordable prices so treatments can be made available to all.”

Mr Stevens will also reveal how smarter technology is being used to halve the number of cardiac arrests and treat sepsis patients faster.