Some rare types of blood cancer are difficult to treat, especially when the disease returns or does not respond to the initial treatment.
According to Blood Cancer UK, as cited by the Express, these patients often have very few treatment options.
The organization also states that blood cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United Kingdom. As a result, there is significant interest in new treatments.
Two new treatments
According to NHS England, one of the treatments works by blocking the proteins that help cancer cells grow.
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The other treatment is administered through an intravenous infusion and targets a protein on the surface of cancer cells.
NHS England expects that around 200 patients each year will benefit from the two treatments.
They have been developed for patients with rare blood cancers whose previous treatment has not had the desired effect.
Approved for use
NHS England has now approved both treatments. One is the tablet dabrafenib, which can be taken at home and is used to treat rare histiocytic neoplasms.
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The other is a combination therapy for children aged eight and older with Hodgkin lymphoma whose disease has returned or has not responded to the initial treatment.
According to NHS England, the approval gives more patients access to new treatment options.
At the same time, Blood Cancer UK believes that ongoing medical research continues to improve the outlook for people with rare blood cancers.
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