Neoadjuvant Therapy has been Approved by NHS England

Melanoma Focus is thrilled to share that neoadjuvant therapy has been approved by NHS England for macroscopic stage 3 melanoma patients with operable disease spread skin or mucosal melanomas. This follows approval of neoadjuvant treatment in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Melanoma Focus have supported the clinical community to gain access of this treatment.

Professor Paul Nathan who led the process said:

“I am delighted that neoadjuvant/adjuvant pembrolizumab is now approved for use in England in patients with macroscopic resectable stage 3 melanoma. I thank my colleagues on the applicant group (Susanna Daniels, Professor James Larkin, Dr Miranda Payne and Dr Vikesh Dodhia) for their persistence that has now resulted in access to this major improvement in patient care.” 

 

What is neoadjuvant treatment?

Neoadjuvant treatment is the treatment given before the complete surgical removal (resection) of a melanoma to shrink the size of the melanoma to make the surgery simpler to complete. Two studies have shown that giving 2 or 3 doses of immunotherapy before surgery improves patient outcomes compared to adjuvant therapy.

Adjuvant therapy is the ‘extra’ treatment given after complete surgical removal of the melanoma. After surgery, there may be invisible melanoma cells remaining and adjuvant therapy can increase the chance of cure after surgery.

For more information about adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment CLICK HERE.

You can learn more about the NHS England Clinical commissioning policy HERE.