RCHT contributes to breast cancer research to help patients live longer

As a result of study findings, the National institute for Heath & Care Excellence (NICE) recommended the use of the study drug, pembrolizumab, for treatment of triple negative breast cancer. This form of cancer affects around 8,000 women a year and NHS England estimates up to 1,600 women a year could benefit from being treated with pembrolizumab.

RCHT entered 10 patients into the trial between 2017 and 2018 and many of these participants continue to take part in a 10-year follow-up programme. This extended monitoring is popular with the patients as it gives them reassurance.

Results from the clinical trial showed that adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab to chemotherapy can help some patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer live longer than if they received chemotherapy alone. It can help shrink tumours and stop them from spreading. It could also spare some women needing the whole breast removed.

The drug has now been added to the chemotherapy profile as an additional treatment option following successful results of trial.

Chantelle, a pembrolizumab trial patient at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust said “It was amazing news to hear the drug was licensed for use when treating triple negative breast cancer patients. It was a scary diagnosis 5 years ago, now survival rates have improved because of new treatments. There have been big improvements in a short space of time.”

Pembrolizumab is also used to treat melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, cervical, stomach and Hodgkin lymphoma.