A world-first blood cancer therapy, described as a “Trojan horse” treatment, is now being offered to patients on the NHS in England, marking a major milestone in cancer care. The therapy, known as belantamab mafodotin (Blenrep), is designed for people with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells in bone marrow. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, this targeted treatment delivers a potent drug directly into cancer cells, aiming to destroy them from the inside while limiting damage to healthy tissue. NHS England is the first health system globally to make this innovative therapy available to eligible patients.

Belantamab mafodotin works by attaching itself to a specific protein found on myeloma cells, allowing it to be absorbed by the cancer cell. Once inside, the drug releases a highly toxic molecule that kills the cell. Clinical trials have shown that this approach can keep myeloma in remission for nearly three times longer than existing treatments, offering new hope to patients whose cancer has returned or failed to respond to standard therapy. The treatment is administered as an infusion every three weeks, often in combination with other cancer drugs.

The approval of this therapy follows strong recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and it is expected to benefit around 1,500 patients annually in England alone. For many, like Paul Silvester from Sheffield, who experienced a relapse after a bone marrow transplant, the new drug has been life-changing. After joining an early access program, Paul achieved remission within weeks and has since regained the ability to enjoy daily activities and make future plans.

Patient advocacy groups and health officials have welcomed the rollout, highlighting its potential to transform the outlook for those living with myeloma. The therapy is especially significant for patients who have exhausted other options, offering not only extended remission but also a better quality of life. As more data emerges, belantamab mafodotin could set a new standard for treating blood cancers on the NHS and beyond.