Overview
- The approval lets pembrolizumab be given alongside standard chemoradiotherapy for adults with stage 3–4 locally advanced cervical cancer following NICE’s recommendation.
- KEYNOTE‑A18 trial results showed better outcomes with the drug added to chemoradiotherapy, with 68% of patients progression‑free at two years versus 57% and a three‑year survival of 82.6% versus 74.8%.
- NHS England negotiated a commercial deal with MSD and will fast‑track patient access immediately using funding from the Cancer Drugs Fund.
- Around 550 people in England are expected to be eligible for the new treatment over the next two years and the drug can be delivered by infusion every three or six weeks or by a recently rolled‑out one‑minute injection.
- Clinicians say the change could reduce deaths and extend cancer‑free time for many patients and may help address outcome gaps because cervical cancer disproportionately affects underserved groups.