In a remarkable testimony to the power of modern medicine, Linda Kelly, a 67-year-old woman battling advanced breast cancer, has shared her experience with a revolutionary new drug that has significantly extended her life. Diagnosed with a form of breast cancer that has metastasized to her bones and chest wall, Linda credits the medication, known as capivasertib, with giving her an additional four years of life, during which she has enjoyed precious moments spent traveling with her husband, Neil.

"It does let you have a normal kind of life and you forget you have cancer," states Linda, who is among the more than 1,000 women with incurable breast cancer in England and Wales who may benefit from this innovative treatment. Capivasertib has recently been recommended for use within the National Health Service (NHS) in England and is officially funded starting today. The drug is seen as a crucial additional option for women grappling with advanced stages of breast cancer.

Linda's active lifestyle includes avid gardening, cycling up to 60 miles each week, and practicing Pilates, all of which she has maintained while on this new medication. She describes her experience with capivasertib as "fantastic," noting that the side effects she experienced were minimal. This has allowed her to travel to New Zealand with her husband last year and to look forward to an upcoming trip to the United States this year. "You feel the drug is working, and you can be a lot calmer - its given me nearly four years of extra time," she reflects, emphasizing the renewed hope and vitality the drug has instilled in her life.

Despite Linda's positive experience, it is important to note that the outcomes may not be universally favorable. In clinical trials involving 708 women, capivasertib, when used in conjunction with hormone therapy, showed promising results by doubling the time it takes for cancer to progressfrom 3.6 months to 7.3 monthsand managing to shrink tumors in 23% of participants. Professor Nick Turner, the lead researcher associated with this study and a prominent figure at the Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden, remarked on its significance, stating, "It presents a very effective option that can work for a long time - many months, and in some people, it can be years." He added that the drug can significantly postpone the need for chemotherapy, which is often dreaded by patients due to its adverse side effects. "Advanced breast cancer is highly treatable, and we want kinder, better treatments," he said.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved capivasertib for use, and it will be financed through the Cancer Drugs Fund in England. However, funding details for Wales have yet to be confirmed. Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer in the United Kingdom, affecting one in seven women throughout their lives, with approximately 75% of women surviving for a decade or more post-diagnosis. When the disease recurs and spreads, treatment options focus on managing symptoms, controlling the disease's progression, and enhancing quality of life. Treatments can range from chemotherapy and radiotherapy to hormone-blocking therapies and immune system boosters.

Capivasertib represents a new frontier in targeted cancer therapies; it works by inhibiting the activity of a specific protein molecule called AKT, which is instrumental in cancer growth. The development of this drug has been a 20-year journey for scientists, and it has been hailed as one of the most effective medications for treating advanced cancer available today. The drug is particularly suited for patients with certain gene mutations, which are found in nearly half of those suffering from hormone receptor-positive secondary breast cancerthe most common type characterized by growth stimulated by estrogen.

Professor Peter Johnson, the clinical director for cancer at NHS England, noted that capivasertib provides an "additional option" for patients whose cancer has progressed despite receiving previous hormone therapies, although it may not be suitable for everyone. Claire Rowney, the chief executive of the charity Breast Cancer Now, expressed her delight regarding the drug's approval, highlighting the precious extra time it offers some patients to cherish moments with loved ones. However, she criticized the delays in accessing this treatment, which was initially rejected by NICE, arguing that breast cancer medications should undergo swifter approval processes. Rowney emphasized the necessity for NHS England to establish prompt genetic testing, ensuring that eligible patients can access capivasertib without further holdups. She also urged that Scotland consider funding the treatment to guarantee uniform access across the UK.

Discussing the approval process, Professor Johnson explained that NICE meticulously evaluates evidence before approving new drugs for the NHS, which includes considerations of the drug's cost. He stated, "We have to ensure the treatments we bring in are good value for money for the NHS, especially in these challenging economic times. The price of the drug and its application must reflect good value for the NHS." Notably, NICE has successfully approved 24 out of 25 breast cancer treatments assessed over the past seven years, showcasing their commitment to improving patient care.