The NHS has begun rolling out a new injectable form of pembrolizumab, also known as Keytruda, in what health leaders are describing as a major step forward for cancer care. The treatment can be given in just 60 seconds and is expected to benefit tens of thousands of patients across England with more than a dozen cancer types.
How the new jab changes treatment delivery
The new under-the-skin injection replaces an intravenous infusion that can take up to two hours in total per session. NHS England says the switch could cut treatment time by up to 90%, while also freeing up clinic space and staff time for other patients. Around 14,000 patients start pembrolizumab therapy each year in England, and most are now expected to benefit from the more convenient option.
The jab can be used for 14 cancer types, including lung, breast, head and neck, and cervical cancer. It is given every three weeks as a one-minute injection or every six weeks as a two-minute injection, depending on the patient’s cancer type. The treatment works by blocking a protein called PD-1, which acts as a brake on immune responses, allowing the immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells.
Patients and clinicians welcome the time saved
One of the first patients to receive the new injection at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Shirley Xerxes, said it was “unbelievable” to be in the treatment chair for just a “matter of minutes.” She said the faster appointment gave her more time to live her life, including time spent gardening.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer, said the new approach offers a “lifeline” for thousands of patients and helps them spend less time in hospital. He added that the change should also help clinical teams care for more people and continue reducing waiting times.
James Richardson, National Specialty Advisor for Cancer Drugs at NHS England, described the rollout as a “win-win innovation” that benefits both patients and staff. Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said the move reflects the government’s pledge to do more and go faster for patients, while improving convenience and supporting recovery.
A broader push to modernise cancer care
The NHS says the injectable version also removes the need for hospital pharmacy teams to prepare intravenous bags under specialist sterile conditions, which can be time-consuming. The ready-to-administer injection is expected to reduce pressure on treatment units and improve productivity across the service.
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive at Cancer Research UK, said the injection is welcome news because it speeds up treatment and allows people to spend more time outside hospital. She also said innovations like this are vital at a time when NHS capacity remains limited.
For patients and staff alike, the rollout marks a practical shift in how cancer therapy is delivered. It does not change the medicine itself, but it does change the experience around it, and that may prove to be just as important in a system where time and capacity are under constant pressure.
More details are available from the NHS England announcement here.
