New Cancer Drug Triples Survival Time for Rare Bile Cancer

A father's final wish to help other cancer patients has come true as the NHS approves a life-extending treatment that could transform care for one of the deadliest cancers.

Zanidatamab has been greenlit for NHS use in England and Wales to treat cholangiocarcinoma, an aggressive bile duct cancer that often goes undetected until surgery is no longer possible. Fewer than one in three people diagnosed in England survive a year, making this approval particularly significant.

The drug's journey to approval was championed by Huw Jones, a 33-year-old from north Wales who was diagnosed with stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma in 2024. He discovered the cancer after experiencing pain following triathlon training, receiving the devastating news the day before his partner's 20-week pregnancy scan.

Huw began taking zanidatamab through a clinical trial in January 2025, the same month his son Idris was born. His family believes the treatment gave them precious time together as a family of three before Huw's death earlier this year.

Clinical trials show patients treated with zanidatamab survived an average of 18 months, compared to just over six months with existing treatments. The drug works by targeting a protein called HER2 that fuels tumor growth, activating the immune system to destroy cancer cells while preventing further spread.

Why This Inspires

After Huw's death, his family continued fighting for NHS approval so other families could have the same gift of time. His father Gareth said the drug gave Huw "much-needed hope during treatment" and precious months with baby Idris.

The approval also brings hope to patients like Gareth Honeybone, an NHS surgeon from Sheffield who developed cholangiocarcinoma himself. After starting zanidatamab in January 2025, scans now show his tumor has completely disappeared.

Nice, the health watchdog that initially rejected the treatment, reversed its decision after hearing from patients and families about the difference the drug made in their lives. Approximately 65 patients each year will now be able to access the treatment through the NHS, administered via intravenous drip every two weeks.

Helen Knight from Nice said patients told them the treatment "would make a huge difference by extending people's lives and improving their quality of life." Jazz Pharmaceuticals has made the drug available to the NHS at a discount through a commercial agreement.

Huw's legacy now lives on in every patient who gains precious time with their loved ones.