NHS Rolls Out World-First Myeloma 'Trojan Horse' Drug

England's NHS is the first health system globally to offer belantamab mafodotin, a 'Trojan horse' therapy developed by GlaxoSmithKline for multiple myeloma, an aggressive and incurable blood cancer. This targeted chemotherapy delivers cancer-killing medication directly into malignant cells, significantly reducing side effects and tripling the time before disease progression versus existing treatments. Administered via infusion every three weeks alongside other drugs, the therapy is expected to benefit around 1,500 patients annually whose disease has relapsed or is resistant to first-line therapies. Clinical trials and early recipients, such as Paul Silvester from Sheffield, have reported rapid remission and improved quality of life. Health leaders and patient advocates describe the treatment as 'life-changing,' offering renewed hope for extended survival and more time with family. The drug's approval by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) marks a major milestone in blood cancer care.