A drug that could improve the quality of life of hundreds of women with uterine cancer will be rolled out across the NHS from Tuesday.

Dostarlimab, also known as Jemperli, is an immunotherapy that helps the immune system attack cancer cells by attracting specific proteins on their surface.

The scheme will be rolled out by NHS England in 2022 following approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice). A maximum of 200 patients are eligible each year.

There is evidence that this drug can extend life expectancy when used with chemotherapy. It is a monoclonal antibody that is administered by infusion over half an hour under the supervision of a doctor during each treatment.

According to Cancer Research, there are 9,700 new cases and 2,400 deaths from uterine-related cancer in the UK every year. The two most common forms are endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma.

In clinical trials, 64% of patients who received Jemperli and chemotherapy had no progression of their cancer one year after treatment. This number is more than double that of chemotherapy alone, which is only 24%.

Dostarlimab was authorized by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in October as a drug that can be used with chemotherapy to slow the progression of uterine cancer and extend patients’ life expectancy.

It is the first drug approved by the MHRA for the first-line treatment of primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.

Its most common side effects are hypothyroidism, rash, dry skin, high temperature or fever, and elevated levels of liver enzymes in the blood.

Professor Peter Clark, Head of NHS Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF), said: “The introduction of this drug as a first-line treatment on the NHS is great news for patients with this type of uterine cancer – this new immunotherapy can Helping hundreds of patients. Women want valuable extra time to live their lives before their cancer progresses.”

Helen Knight, Director of Drug Evaluation at Nice, said: “Advanced or recurrent uterine cancer has a devastating impact on quality of life and limited treatment options are available.

“We are focused on delivering the most important services and getting care to those who need it quickly, so I’m pleased to make this treatment option available quickly through CDF, allowing patients with this type of cancer to enjoy more time with their families of your precious time and loved ones.”