BREAKTHROUGHS IN CANCER CURE
BREAKTHROUGHS IN CANCER CURE
Cancer has robbed us of friends, family, and hope. Too many lives cut short while we waited—waited for treatments, approvals, for technologies to arrive on our shores. When research breakthroughs emerge abroad, they tend to trickle in slowly, dragged by regulations, cost negotiations, and, yes, profit motives. But in the case of cancer, delays come at an intolerable cost.
A recent advance in the UK gives us reason to hope and also to demand change. On 30 April 2025, the UK’s medicines regulator (MHRA) approved a new under-the-skin (subcutaneous) injection version of nivolumab (Opdivo), a major immunotherapy drug used in cancer treatment.
What makes this enormous is that this “super-jab” can be administered in 3-5 minutes instead of the usual 30-60 minute intravenous drip. Patients who currently receive nivolumab through IV infusions every two or four weeks will now have an alternative.
Even more significant: it works for 15 types of cancer including lung, kidney, bladder, bowel, esophageal, skin, head and neck, liver, and stomach cancers.
In England alone, some 1,200 patients per month are expected to benefit from this switch. Treatment time saved for patients and clinicians is huge—estimated to be over a year’s worth collectively every single year. That’s hours that patients no longer have to spend hooked to IVs; hospital beds freed; staff time relieved.
My thoughts and questions
I rejoice at this breakthrough. For every minute shaved off treatment, there is a moment less of suffering, anxiety, hospital traffic. But I cannot remain unworried—because for many of us far from London, far from Bristol-Myers Squibb’s labs, this remains news more than reality.
When will treatments like this reach the Philippines?
Based on past patterns of medical technology adoption, there is often a lag of 5 years or more before they become available here—if at all. During those years, hundreds or thousands may have died or endured worse quality of life.Will cost be a barrier?
In the UK, the agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb ensures the jab comes at no extra cost to the NHS. But that does not guarantee that our government hospitals, our procurement systems, our insurance schemes will have the budgets, trained staff, and supply chains necessary.Zero Balance Billing & Equity
For many Filipinos, even small out-of-pocket expenses kill the dream of cure. This treatment, like many others, must be included under free or heavily subsidised healthcare—zero balance billing, government hospitals, PhilHealth, etc. Without that, only the rich benefit.Local production and regulation
Why not begin now to negotiate licensing, maybe even local manufacturing, for subcutaneous nivolumab or equivalent immunotherapy drugs? Our DOH (Department of Health) and DOST (Department of Science and Technology) could collaborate on biotech initiatives, maybe with foreign partners.Congress and budget priorities
If some flood control, infrastructure, or other large budget items are still overblown or delayed, maybe we can shift some of that toward cancer care. Prevention, early detection, availability of cutting-edge medicines—that can save far more lives than some recurring expenses.
What the data tells us
The new formulation of nivolumab is co-formulated with recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH20). This helps absorption when given under the skin, enabling the fast 3-5 minute injection.
The approval by MHRA covers use as:
Monotherapy (nivolumab alone)
Maintenance following combination therapy in certain cancers
Combination with other treatments (chemotherapy or other agents) in solid tumours.
The side effect profile appears comparable to the IV form; safety, pharmacokinetics (drug behavior in the body), and tumour response are similar.
From a systems perspective, the NHS expects savings of 1,000 hours per month of clinical and nursing time, increased availability of day-unit cancer capacity, and overall more efficient cancer care.
What must be done here at home
DOH should immediately evaluate whether the newly approved subcutaneous nivolumab is approved by other major regulators (FDA, EMA, WHO), and whether importation/licensing is feasible.
DFA (Foreign Affairs) or the Philippine Government should negotiate with UK/BMS to secure licensing, transfer, or at least early access agreements.
Congress should look at health priority allocation: Are there existing funds that could be reallocated (without sacrificing essential needs) toward cancer treatment access?
Local research must be supported—not just to replicate what others are doing, but to adapt treatments to our patient population (genetic differences, comorbidities, healthcare infrastructure).
Public awareness and early detection cannot be neglected even in the face of new cures. The best medicine in the world still cannot help a cancer caught too late.
In sum, the NHS’ rollout of the 5-minute nivolumab jab for 15 cancers is nothing less than historic. It shows what medical science is capable of, and what healthcare policy should aspire to: fast, equitable access, not just to the privileged but to all.
I call on our officials, our hospitals, our legislators, and citizens: do not let this be just yet another “foreign miracle.” Let’s make it ours. Let’s move fast. Because behind every delay is a person who could have lived.
Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com
02-10-2026
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