The NHS has announced that a 30-minute treatment, the first of its kind for advanced womb cancer, is being rolled out for women across England.

Each year, approximately 100 women with advanced and often incurable endometrial cancer will be offered this life-extending drug after the NHS agreed early access to the treatment through the Cancer Drugs Fund.

Called Dostarlimab, the medicine is the first of its kind for womb or endometrial cancer, and works by attaching to a specific protein on the surface of the cancer cells, helping the immune system to detect and attack it. It will give eligible patients with this specific form of cancer, who would otherwise quickly deteriorate, a greater chance of survival.

Professor Steve Powis, National Medical Director of the NHS in England, said: “This is a significant moment for patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer, as this new drug gives real hope to the around 100 patients a year who have had limited success with other treatments, taking just four 30-minute sessions, meaning it is also less invasive.

“This deal could only be made thanks to the Cancer Drugs Fund, which allows the NHS to get early access to the latest treatments, and is just the latest example of NHS England using its commercial capabilities to deliver on the NHS Long Term Plan commitment to provide patients with the latest cutting-edge treatments for cancer.

“The NHS has continued to treat cancer patients throughout the pandemic and as we continue to expand our arsenal of treatments against all cancers, please do come forward and get checked if you have a worrying sign or symptom.”

This is the latest in a series of commercial deals the NHS has agreed over the past year, securing innovative treatments for patients with other rare conditions including spinal muscular atrophy, metachromatic leukodystrophy and the blood disorder, mastocytosis, while also extending access to a ‘miracle’ cystic fibrosis treatment, (Kaftrio).