Oscar Murphy, 28, became the first patient to receive a new CAR-T therapy on the NHS for aggressive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-cell ALL) at Manchester Royal Infirmary. The treatment involves genetically modified immune cells. NHS England has approved funding for this immunotherapy at multiple centers nationwide, with an estimated 50 patients expected to benefit annually.
Murphy was diagnosed with B-cell ALL in March 2025, undergoing chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant before a relapse in November. Clinical trials indicated that 77% of patients achieved remission following the treatment, with half showing no signs of cancer after 3.5 years. The therapy, on average, extended patients' lives by 15.6 months. Dr. Eleni Tholouli, Murphy's haematologist, stated that CAR-T therapy provides a safer and more effective alternative to current treatments for this aggressive leukaemia, potentially offering years of life or a cure.
While CAR-T therapy has been available on the NHS for some leukaemia and lymphoma types, this new form extends it to adults with B-cell ALL. The process involves extracting a patient's T-cells, genetically reprogramming them in a lab to recognize and target cancer cells, expanding their numbers, and then re-infusing them into the patient. Oscar Murphy's treatment, containing 100 million CAR T-cells, was infused in a few minutes.
Oscar Murphy received a second infusion, completing his CAR-T treatment. The genetically modified T-cells are designed to remain active in the body long-term. The therapy, manufactured by Autolus, a University College London spin-out, had a list price of £372,000 per infusion, though the NHS receives a confidential discount. It is accessible to B-cell ALL patients over 26 whose cancer has relapsed or been resistant to previous treatments. It is available at several English centers, with patients from Wales and Northern Ireland requiring travel. Scotland's approval is pending. While NHS England anticipates 50 beneficiaries annually, Dr. Tholouli suggests this number could increase, potentially leading to its use as a primary treatment. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer, described the treatment as a significant development, noting its UK-based scientific origins.