NICE Opens Access to New Immunotherapy in Cervical Cancer and First Disease‑Modifying Drug in Early Type 1 Diabetes

NICE has backed two notable therapies for NHS use in England, extending options in advanced cervical cancer and offering the first intervention that can delay the clinical onset of type 1 diabetes.

NICE recommended Cemiplimab in Advanced Cervical Cancer

NICE has backed cemiplimab as a new systemic option for adults with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer in England, adding an immunotherapy choice in a setting where outcomes are typically poor and treatments are limited.

Who can receive cemiplimab?

Cemiplimab is recommended for a narrowly defined group:

• Adults whose cervical cancer has come back or spread and has worsened during or after platinum‑based chemotherapy.

• Patients who have not previously been treated with an immunotherapy.

NICE estimates that, under these criteria, around 90 adults a year in England are likely to be eligible.

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How well does it work?

Data from the EMPOWER Cervical‑1 trial show that cemiplimab outperforms standard single‑agent chemotherapy:

• Overall survival: median survival was 11.7 months with cemiplimab versus 8.5 months with chemotherapy.

• Longer‑term survival: at two years, more than twice as many patients in the cemiplimab arm were still alive compared with those receiving chemotherapy.

When will patients get access for cemiplimab in the United Kingdom?

• Immediate: Cemiplimab is available straight away via the Cancer Drugs Fund, allowing access while additional data continue to accumulate.

• Routine funding: The treatment is scheduled to move into standard NHS commissioning 90 days after NICE publishes its final guidance.

NICE back teplizumab in Early Type 1 Diabetes

In a separate move, NICE has endorsed teplizumab as the first therapy on the NHS that can delay the onset of symptomatic type 1 diabetes, positioning England as the first European market to formally adopt a disease‑modifying approach in this condition.

Who is teplizumab for?

Teplizumab is intended for:

• Adults and children aged 8 years and older

• Who have stage 2 type 1 diabetes

Stage 2 is defined as an early, silent phase in which:

• Autoantibodies indicate that the immune system is already attacking the insulin‑producing beta cells, and

• Blood tests show early changes in glucose control,

• But people still feel well and do not yet have classic diabetes symptoms.

What did the trial show?

Evidence comes from the TN-10 randomised study, which enrolled people with stage 2 type 1 diabetes and a first-degree relative with the disease. Participants received either teplizumab or placebo.

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Key findings:

A single 14-day course of teplizumab delayed progression to symptomatic (stage 3) type 1 diabetes by roughly 32 months on average, which is almost three years.

 This delay defers the point at which patients must begin lifelong intensive insulin therapy, frequent glucose monitoring and the day-to-day risk of hypoglycaemia and other acute complications.

For families, especially those with young children, this extra time can be significant: it allows key developmental milestones and life events to occur without the added complexity of full diabetes management.

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How is teplizumab given?

The regimen is intensive but time‑limited:

• Teplizumab is infused into a vein once daily for 14 days in a row.

• Each infusion lasts at least 30 minutes.

Doses are stepped up over the first few days to reduce the risk of infusion reactions.

After the 14‑day course, no further treatment cycles are planned; it is a one‑off course.

Patients must attend hospital every day during this two‑week period, including weekends. NICE has acknowledged that, in practice, this could be challenging for some households in terms of travel, time off work and other costs, which means pathway design and site selection will be critical.

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How many people might receive it and how will they be found?

NICE modelling suggests:

• Around 1,100 people could be treated in the first year.

• The eligible group is expected to settle at about 820 patients per year from year three onwards, as screening and referral processes become more established.

Pricing and roll‑out

NHS England has agreed a confidential discounted price with the manufacturer, which underpins NICE’s cost‑effectiveness conclusions.

• England: teplizumab is expected to be available in routine care within 90 days of final NICE guidance.

• Wales: access is due to begin 60 days from 23 June 2026

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