NHS Introduces First-Ever Treatment for Rare Eye Cancer

The pioneering drug Tebentafusp, approved by NICE, offers hope to patients with metastatic uveal melanoma by extending survival and stabilizing the disease.

Tebentafusp, sold as Kimmtrak, is the first approved treatment for uveal melanoma, a rare and aggressive eye cancer affecting 500-600 people annually in the UK.
The drug targets genetic markers in patients whose cancer cannot be removed surgically or has spread to other organs, with over 100 patients expected to qualify each year.
Clinical trials show Tebentafusp improves three-year survival rates from 18% to 27% and extends median survival from 16.9 to 21.6 months compared to standard treatments.
The treatment works by connecting T-cells to cancer cells, enabling the immune system to recognize and destroy the tumors more effectively.
Patients and advocates, including Ocular Melanoma UK, have hailed the rollout as a significant milestone, providing new hope for those facing limited treatment options.