People with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in England are set to benefit from a new NHS-funded treatment option after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended cemiplimab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for certain patients.
The decision means eligible patients with untreated advanced NSCLC could now access another first-line immunotherapy option through the NHS, helping widen choice in treatment and potentially improving outcomes for people living with lung cancer.
Who is eligible for the treatment?
Under the new guidance, cemiplimab plus platinum-based chemotherapy can be offered to adults with untreated non-small cell lung cancer if:
- the cancer is locally advanced and not suitable for definitive chemoradiation, or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic)
- the tumour has PD-L1 expression in 1% or more of tumour cells
- the cancer does not have EGFR, ALK or ROS1 genetic alterations
- they would otherwise have been offered pembrolizumab with platinum-based chemotherapy
The recommendation applies specifically to patients whose clinicians believe cemiplimab is the most appropriate treatment option.
Expanding treatment choice for lung cancer patients
Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common form of lung cancer, accounting for around 85% of all lung cancer diagnoses. While advances in immunotherapy have transformed treatment for many people with NSCLC in recent years, access to additional effective options remains important, particularly where different patients may respond differently to treatment.
Cemiplimab is an immunotherapy drug designed to help the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. When used alongside chemotherapy, it has been shown to improve outcomes for some patients with advanced disease.
Why this matters
Access to effective first-line treatment is crucial for people diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Expanding the range of available immunotherapy combinations can help ensure more personalised treatment approaches and offer patients and clinicians greater flexibility when deciding the most suitable care plan.
As research into lung cancer continues to evolve, decisions like this represent another step forward in improving treatment options and outcomes for people affected by the disease.
Paula Chadwick, chief executive of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said: “It is encouraging to see the continued expansion of treatment options and approaches for people with lung cancer.”
“Ensuring patients can access the treatment options that best support their individual needs is essential, and this latest recommendation represents an important step forward. By enabling a more personalised approach with an immunotherapy plus chemotherapy treatment strategy, it could help care teams tailor treatment more effectively for eligible patients.”