Lung cancer patients in Scotland will be the first in Britain to access revolutionary new treatment thanks to a landmark decision by health chiefs.
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has recommended the breakthrough immunotherapy Opdivo, also known as nivolumab, to treat NHS patients with lung cancer whose disease has progressed after prior chemotherapy.
The decision by the SMC means Scotland will join other European countries such as Germany, Greece and Sweden in making the life-extending treatment available for patients.
Dr Marianne Nicolson, consultant medical oncologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary hailed the move as potentially life-changing news for sufferers of the disease across the country.
She said: “This positive decision marks a major turning point for lung cancer care in Scotland.
“Until today, there have been few treatments for this type of lung cancer that have the potential to extend survival in patients.”
The treatment operates by harnessing the ability of the immune system to fight advanced types of lung cancer, as well as advanced forms of skin and kidney cancer.
The condition is a serious health burden for Scotland, with incidence rates ranking amongst the highest in the world.
In 2014, lung cancer accounted for 4,100 deaths in Scotland – which is almost equivalent to the amount of deaths from colorectal, breast, prostate and oesophageal cancers combined.
Dr Nicolson said: “The SMC recommendation to make nivolumab available to Scottish NHS patients has opened the door to an ummunotheraphy that offers real hope to patients and their families.”
A decision is yet to be made on making the treatment available to patients in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.