The National Health Service in the UK will be providing revolutionary at-home drug treatment for pediatric brain tumour patients.
This novel therapeutic approach promises to majorly decelerate disease progression, offering children the chance to enjoy a higher quality of life for an extended period.
Suitable for young individuals battling low-grade gliomas with a particular genetic mutation, this treatment marks a significant advancement.
Thankfully, this treatment saves patients from enduring the severe side effects typically associated with chemotherapy.
A mix of two medications, dabrafenib and trametinib, it is proven to halt disease progression for durations thrice as long as those seen with conventional chemotherapy treatments.
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Sky News has been chronicling the journey of Aaliyah, aged 12, as she participates in the groundbreaking treatment trial.
She is taking the combined drugs as a part of a research study at the renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital.
“I’m able to simply take pills twice daily and visit the hospital quarterly instead of constant hospitalization for chemo,” stated Aaliyah.
“I’ve managed to join my peers in starting secondary school and attend nearly all classes. It’s been possible for me to maintain my hobbies, like majorette, and spend time at home rather than be confined to hospital stays for treatment,” she added.
With the approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the NHS plans to roll out this treatment in the upcoming months to patients aged one to 17 with both low-grade and high-grade gliomas that show the BRAF V600E mutation.
Gliomas are tumours that develop in the spinal cord or brain and can be categorized as either low-grade, signifying a slow growth, or high-grade, indicating a more aggressive and potentially lethal growth rate.
Notably, this home-administered dual-drug therapy targets the proteins produced by the altered BRAF gene that is known to cause unrestricted tumour growth.
Each year, approximately 150 children in the UK are diagnosed with low-grade gliomas, and about 30 face high-grade gliomas diagnosis. Notably, up to 20% of these cases possess the BRAF gene mutation which makes the tumours less responsive to chemotherapy.
FAQ about Pediatric Brain Cancer Treatment on NHS
- What is the new treatment available for children with brain tumours on the NHS?
- The new treatment is a combination of drugs called dabrafenib and trametinib, which patients can take at home to slow down the progression of low-grade gliomas with a specific genetic mutation.
- How does this new treatment compare to traditional chemotherapy?
- This oral treatment has been shown to stop the disease progression for over three times longer than standard chemotherapy, with the added benefit of avoiding the harsh side effects associated with chemotherapy.
- Who can access this treatment on the NHS?
- The treatment will soon be available on the NHS to children and young adults from the age of one to 17 who have either low-grade or high-grade gliomas with the BRAF V600E mutation.
- What are gliomas?
- Gliomas are tumours that form in the brain or spinal cord and can vary in severity from low-grade, which grow slowly, to high-grade, which grow more rapidly and can be fatal.
- How many children are diagnosed with these types of tumours each year in the UK?
- About 150 children are diagnosed with low-grade gliomas and around 30 with high-grade gliomas every year in the UK.
Conclusion
The introduction of a take-at-home brain cancer treatment for children on the NHS signals a significant breakthrough in pediatric cancer care. Not only does it aim to provide a less invasive and more comfortable treatment experience for young patients, but it also represents hope for improved outcomes and an enhanced quality of life during a challenging time. The upcoming availability of this innovative therapy underscores the ongoing commitment to advancing cancer treatments and the positive impacts that targeted genetic medicine can bring to patient care.