NHS rolls out rapid pembrolizumab injection for 14 cancers

The NHS has begun offering a faster injectable form of pembrolizumab to cancer patients across England, aiming to reduce cancer treatment times significantly.

The new delivery method replaces lengthy intravenous infusions with a quick under-the-skin injection that can be administered in as little as 60 seconds.

This updated approach to pembrolizumab treatment is designed for patients with up to 14 different cancer types, including lung, breast, cervical, and head and neck cancers.

By shifting from hour-long infusions to minute-long injections, the NHS expects to improve patient experience while easing pressure on oncology services.

Early results suggest a substantial impact. Treatment times may be reduced by up to 90%, allowing thousands of patients each year to spend less time in the hospital and more time on daily life.

Around 14,000 people in England begin pembrolizumab therapy annually, and the majority are expected to benefit from the streamlined process.

Commenting on the treatment innovation, UK Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting, said: “Our National Cancer Plan promised to do more and go faster for patients – already we are delivering that change.

“As a cancer survivor, I know how important quick treatment is, and this rollout will offer quicker, more convenient care, saving patients time and helping them in their recovery with less time in the hospital.

“Not only that, but it’ll also free up valuable time so clinicians can care for even more people and potentially save even more lives.

“The government is providing the health service with record funding – around 40,000 more people are starting treatment on time, and rates of early diagnosis are hitting record highs.

“Through innovations like this, we’re making every penny and every second count, and ensuring patients get NHS care that fits around their lives, not the other way around”.

A shift in how Pembrolizumab is delivered

Pembrolizumab, marketed as Keytruda and developed by MSD, is a widely used immunotherapy drug.

It works by blocking the PD-1 protein, which normally limits immune system activity. By inhibiting this “brake,” the drug enables immune cells to detect and attack cancer more effectively.

Traditionally, pembrolizumab has been delivered by intravenous infusion, a process that can take up to two hours per session, including preparation and administration.

The new formulation allows clinicians to administer the drug via a pre-prepared injection, eliminating the need for time-intensive pharmacy preparation under sterile conditions.

Patients will receive the injection either every three weeks (as a one-minute dose) or every six weeks (as a two-minute dose), depending on their specific treatment plan.

Enhancing patient experience

For patients, the change is not just clinical but practical. One of the first recipients of the new injection, 89-year-old Shirley Xerxes from St Albans, described the experience as transformative.

Treated at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, she reported spending only minutes in the treatment chair compared to over an hour previously.

The reduced treatment time has tangible benefits. Patients can return to normal activities more quickly, whether that’s spending time with family or simply avoiding long hospital stays.

For older patients or those with mobility challenges, the shorter appointments may also reduce fatigue associated with treatment days.

Operational gains for the NHS

The shift to injectable pembrolizumab is also expected to improve efficiency within NHS oncology departments.

By removing the need for complex infusion preparation, hospital pharmacy teams can reallocate time and resources. Clinics benefit from increased capacity, allowing more patients to be treated without expanding infrastructure.

This operational advantage comes at a time of sustained demand for cancer services. Faster administration means more flexible scheduling and reduced bottlenecks in treatment units, potentially shortening waiting times.

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer, added: “This immunotherapy offers a lifeline for thousands of patients, and it’s fantastic that this new rapid jab can now take just a minute to deliver – meaning patients can get back to living their lives rather than spending hours in a hospital chair.

“Managing cancer treatment and regular hospital trips can be really exhausting, and not only will this innovation make therapy much quicker and more convenient for patients, but it will also help free up vital appointments for NHS teams to treat more people and continue to bring down waiting times.”

A broader trend in cancer care

The rollout reflects a wider move toward patient-centred cancer care, where convenience and quality of life are prioritised alongside clinical outcomes.

While intravenous therapy remains necessary in some cases, particularly when pembrolizumab is combined with other treatments, the injectable option offers a compelling alternative for many patients.

As adoption expands, the NHS expects the new pembrolizumab delivery method to become standard practice for eligible patients, marking a notable step forward in both cancer treatment and healthcare efficiency.