This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-33345359

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Cancer immunotherapy approved in UK Cancer immunotherapy approved in UK
(about 17 hours later)
A pioneering cancer drug that harnesses the power of the immune system has been approved for use in the UK.A pioneering cancer drug that harnesses the power of the immune system has been approved for use in the UK.
Nivolumab was one of the drugs labelled a "milestone" therapy at a major cancer conference last month.Nivolumab was one of the drugs labelled a "milestone" therapy at a major cancer conference last month.
It has now been approved through the UK's Early Access to Medicines Scheme, which fast-tracks promising new therapies. It has been approved for lung cancer through the UK's Early Access to Medicines Scheme and has been given an EU license for melanoma.
The drug has been shown to stop skin and lung cancers from progressing, in clinical trials.The drug has been shown to stop skin and lung cancers from progressing, in clinical trials.
Enhanced defenceEnhanced defence
The immune system is a powerful defence against infection. However, there are many "brakes" built in to stop the system attacking its own tissues.The immune system is a powerful defence against infection. However, there are many "brakes" built in to stop the system attacking its own tissues.
Cancer - which is a corrupted version of healthy tissue - can take advantage of these brakes to evade assault from the immune system.Cancer - which is a corrupted version of healthy tissue - can take advantage of these brakes to evade assault from the immune system.
Nivolumab takes the brakes off.Nivolumab takes the brakes off.
One trial of nivolumab, alongside an already approved medicine ipilimumab, stopped melanoma advancing for nearly a year in 58% of patients.One trial of nivolumab, alongside an already approved medicine ipilimumab, stopped melanoma advancing for nearly a year in 58% of patients.
A separate trial in lung cancer showed the drug more than doubled survival times in some patients.A separate trial in lung cancer showed the drug more than doubled survival times in some patients.
The treatment has now been allowed in the UK for both skin and lung cancers through the early access scheme. The treatment has now been allowed in the UK for both skin and lung cancers.
Gill Nuttall, from Melanoma UK, said: "There has been an alarming rise in the number of cases of melanoma in the UK over recent years.Gill Nuttall, from Melanoma UK, said: "There has been an alarming rise in the number of cases of melanoma in the UK over recent years.
"Today's news is therefore very welcome as it provides more options for patients and the potential of better, longer survival.""Today's news is therefore very welcome as it provides more options for patients and the potential of better, longer survival."