My husband has been on cemiplimab for Stage IV cancer for nearly two years and has had a very good response. Sadly the funding is now coming to an end, and we are feeling rather anxious. We were wondering if it is possible to continue immunotherapy in private healthcare in the UK and if so, which hospitals offer it.
Hi Amereabacus,
Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Sarah and I’m one of the cancer information nurse specialists.
I’m sorry to read the treatment that your husband has been on for the past 2 years is coming to an end soon. I can only imagine how distressing this must be if the treatment has been working.
Cemiplimab is approved for up to 2 years if it is working effectively and side effects are manageable.
As this is a drug that is approved for the NHS we don’t have a list of which hospitals offer this treatment privately. The best placed people to discuss this with is your husband’s hospital team. Consultants generally work both in the NHS and private sector and may be able to continue this treatment.
If not they may offer to refer your husband to a different dermatologist who offers this treatment. It might also be worthwhile contacting The Royal Marsden as they do treat private patients with immunotherapy.
I really hope this information was helpful. Please know, you can always give us a call to talk things through further.
Take care and best wishes,
Sarah (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.
Ref: SMc/MH
