The National Health Service (NHS) in England has unveiled a groundbreaking new cancer treatment—a rapid “ultra-fast injection” capable of treating up to 15 different types of cancer in just five minutes, marking a first for Europe.
According to a statement published on the NHS’s official website, the new treatment uses nivolumab, a form of immunotherapy, delivered via a quick subcutaneous injection.
This method drastically reduces treatment time to just three to five minutes, compared to the traditional intravenous method, which can take up to an hour.
The injection is set to benefit approximately 1,200 cancer patients each month in England. It targets a range of cancers including skin, bladder, and esophageal cancers.
The NHS also confirmed that the treatment will be offered at no additional cost, thanks to an agreement with pharmaceutical manufacturer Bristol-Myers Squibb.
“This is a fantastic development,” said UK Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton. “Britain continues to lead in medical innovation, and this rapid injection therapy is a prime example. It’s wonderful to see patients in England among the first in Europe to benefit.”
Dalton added that the National Cancer Plan will transform cancer care, raising survival rates and improving the overall quality of treatment.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer, praised the convenience and efficiency of the new method. “Immunotherapy has been a major advance, and administering it in minutes will make a real difference—freeing up doctors’ time, increasing capacity, and improving patient access.”
The first group of patients in the UK is expected to receive the treatment next month, upon arrival of the initial shipments. The NHS noted that this is the latest in a series of rapid-treatment innovations, including new injectable therapies for breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, and blood disorders.
