The breakthrough cancer drug that helped tragic football mascot Bradley Lowery will finally be made available on the NHS.
Now other children with nerve cancer neuroblastoma will get antibody drug dinutuximab beta to boost their chance of survival.
Bradley’s mum Gemma, who met then-Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt in May in a bid to make the drug available, said: “It’s a huge step forward. This drug is a huge benefit to children who have neuroblastoma.” Tony Heddon of Neuroblastoma UK said: “It offers hope.”
Drugs agency NICE previously refused to back the £150,000 treatment, claiming “substantial uncertainty” about its long-term benefits.
Makers EUSA Pharma provided it for a few patients, including Bradley, while negotiating with NICE about funding it on the NHS.
Sunderland mascot Bradley of Blackhall Colliery, Co Durham, died aged six last year after a four-year battle, during which he became pals with ex-Black Cats ace Jermain Defoe.
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