Title: Breakthrough Breast Cancer Pill Capivasertib Approved for NHS Use, Offering New Hope to Thousands

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The NHS has given the green light to a groundbreaking breast cancer pill, capivasertib (Truqap), marking a significant advance in the treatment of advanced breast cancer. Designed to slow the progression of hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive), HER2-negative breast cancer, this targeted therapy is set to benefit thousands of patients annually, offering extended life expectancy and improved quality of life.

What is Capivasertib?

Capivasertib is an oral tablet developed by AstraZeneca that targets the AKT protein—a key molecule that plays an important role in the multiplication and survival of cancer cells. By inhibiting AKT’s action, capivasertib disrupts cancer cell growth and delays disease progression.

This drug is prescribed alongside the hormonal therapy fulvestrant, and is specifically effective for patients whose tumours have genetic alterations in the PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN genes. These mutations are present in approximately half of patients with advanced HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, the most common form of incurable breast cancer[1][2][5].

NHS Approval: What This Means for Patients

Following a recommendation from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), capivasertib is now available for routine use on the NHS in England and Wales. It offers a game-changing new option for women whose breast cancer has progressed despite previous hormone therapies.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that when added to fulvestrant, capivasertib more than doubles the time before disease progression, extending it from an average of 3.1 months to 7.3 months—a significant 4.2-month improvement compared to hormone therapy alone[2][5].

Key Benefits of Capivasertib on the NHS

• Slows cancer progression, allowing patients valuable extra time before needing more aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy.
• Improves quality of life by offering a targeted approach with potentially fewer side effects compared to conventional therapies.
• Personalised therapy: Targets specific genetic mutations, aligning with the NHS’s drive toward personalized cancer care.
• Accessible to thousands: Around 3,000 women annually in the UK are expected to benefit immediately, with many more identified over time through genetic testing[2][5].

Patient Perspectives: Real-Life Impact

Elen Hughes, a patient from North Wales who has been using capivasertib through private healthcare since early 2025, describes the treatment as "absolutely brilliant". After her cancer returned and spread in 2016, the drug has allowed her not only to extend her life but to do so with improved wellbeing. “I don’t look at myself anymore as a dying person,” Hughes says. “I look at myself as a thriving person, who will carry on thriving for as long as I possibly can.” Her story highlights the transformative potential of this drug[2].

Scientific and Medical Perspectives

The development of capivasertib is a culmination of over 20 years of cutting-edge cancer research, notably led by the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London. Professor Nicholas Turner, who spearheaded the major clinical trial, hailed the NHS decision as a major success and urged patients to undergo urgent genetic testing to identify eligibility for this treatment.

“This positive NICE recommendation means that thousands of NHS patients with advanced breast cancer can now receive this innovative targeted treatment to keep their cancer at bay for longer. It is an immensely rewarding moment to see this drug provide patients with precious extra time with their families,” he said[5].

Professor Kristian Helin, ICR’s chief executive, emphasized that the approval is a major milestone for both patients and British science, reflecting decades of research and collaboration between scientists and pharmaceutical companies[5].

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Cancer, stressed that while capivasertib will not be suitable for everyone, extending the time before patients require more intensive therapies is a critical step toward personalised and improved cancer care[1][5].

How Does Capivasertib Fit into Breast Cancer Treatment?

Target Patient Group

• Women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer.
• Tumours with mutations in PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN genes.
• Patients who have experienced disease progression after earlier endocrine (hormonal) treatment.

Treatment Regimen

• Capivasertib is taken as a twice-daily pill alongside fulvestrant injections.
• The combination therapy is aimed at delaying cancer progression and deferring the need for chemotherapy.

Advantages Over Existing Treatments

• Personalized targeted therapy: Focuses on genetic mutations specific to a large subset of breast cancer patients.
• Better side effect profile: Compared to chemotherapy, capivasertib offers potentially fewer and less severe side effects.
• Enhanced progression-free survival: Clinical trials show meaningful extension of time before the disease worsens.

Importance of Genetic Testing

To maximize the benefits of this new treatment, genetic testing of tumours to detect PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN alterations is essential. The NHS is encouraged to implement rapid and widespread genetic testing programs to identify eligible patients promptly, ensuring timely access to capivasertib[2][5].

The Future of Breast Cancer Treatment on the NHS

Capivasertib adds to the expanding arsenal of targeted breast cancer therapies approved recently, alongside drugs like talazoparib and elacestrant, which also focus on specific mutations and receptor statuses[3].

The NHS aims to fast-track approvals and improve access to these life-extending treatments to enhance overall survival and quality of life for breast cancer patients. Breast Cancer Now and other advocacy groups continue to push for swifter drug approval processes and equitable access across the UK[3][5].

Summary

• The NHS has approved capivasertib (Truqap) for use in combination with fulvestrant to treat advanced HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.
• Capivasertib targets specific genetic mutations (PIK3CA, AKT1, PTEN), present in roughly half of advanced cases.
• Clinical trials show the drug doubles progression-free survival, adding an average of 4.2 months before the disease worsens.
• The treatment offers a personalized targeted approach with fewer side effects than chemotherapy, improving patients’ quality of life.
• The NHS decision follows decades of British scientific research and collaboration.
• Genetic testing is critical to identifying patients who can benefit, highlighting the need for expanded NHS testing services.
• The approval represents a breakthrough and a new era in breast cancer care, offering hope to thousands across the UK.

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With capivasertib now available on the NHS, breast cancer patients facing advanced disease have a powerful new weapon in their fight—not only extending life but helping them thrive longer with a better quality of life.

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