NHS to offer new ovarian cancer drug to hundreds of patients

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence approved mirvetuximab soravtansine for NHS use in women with certain platinum-resistant ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancers. The decision marks the first new ovarian cancer treatment added to the NHS in two decades.

The drug targets folate receptor-alpha-positive tumors that no longer respond to standard chemotherapy. It is administered by intravenous drip once every three weeks.

Clinical evidence and patient impact Clinical trials showed the treatment extended average survival by about four months compared with chemotherapy alone. A former NHS physiotherapist who began the drug in January said side effects were reduced enough for her to resume daily activities.

NHS England said roughly 400 patients in England could benefit annually. Officials described the approval as the most significant advance for these hard-to-treat cancers in more than twenty years.

Statements from patient groups and regulators Victoria Clare, chief executive of Ovacome, said the decision ends a period of limited options once platinum-based chemotherapy stops working. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, noted the substantial burden chemotherapy places on patients at this stage.

Rachel Downing, head of policy at Target Ovarian Cancer, said the change offers improved quality of life for women and families who have faced few effective treatments.