New treatment for aggressive blood cancer is now approved on the NHS in England
United Kingdom
People living with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), an aggressive type of blood cancer, who don’t respond to treatment or whose cancer has come back, will soon have access to a new treatment on the NHS.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published its Final Draft Guidance recommending glofitamab (Columvi), used with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GemOx), for adults whose lymphoma has returned or not responded to one previous treatment and who aren’t suitable for a stem cell transplant.
This recommendation means the NHS can now start making this combination treatment available across England. The devolved nations all have their own approval processes, but following this decision this treatment should also be available in Wales.
Until now, people whose DLBCL had relapsed or stopped responding to treatment often had limited options.
How it works
Columvi works by connecting two types of immune cells, bringing the body’s own defences into direct action against cancer. Combined with chemotherapy, this approach gives a new chance to control the disease where standard therapies aren’t able to.
Previously, in April 2025, the European Commission approved Columvi + GemOx. Around 5,500 people are diagnosed with DLBCL in the UK each year. And while many respond well to initial therapy, for those whose cancer returns, survival is poor.
Tracey Loftis, Blood Cancer UK’s Deputy Director of Policy and Influencing, said:
“This approval in England marks a real step forward for people living with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who didn’t respond to treatment or whose blood cancer has come back. Even as new treatments become available, getting a timely blood cancer diagnosis is critical. Blood cancer symptoms like persistent tiredness, night sweats, weight loss or swollen lymph nodes should never be ignored."
“Blood cancer is the UK’s fifth most common cancer and the UK’s third biggest cancer killer. That’s why new treatments like glofitamab are so important, as is the research and importantly clinical trials that are required to get them to people affected by blood cancer.”
The drug company, Roche has also submitted the drug to the Scotland’s Medicines Consortium but are awaiting a date for assessment. This decision should not affect those already receiving the drug.