Dad's wish granted as drug that can extend life approved for NHS use

A LIFE-extending treatment for people with an aggressive form of cancer has been approved for NHS use after health officials gave it the green light.

- By ELLA PICKOVER and STEVE BAGNALL

Patients and their relatives have welcomed the news that zanidatamab has been recommended for NHS use for patients with cholangiocarcinoma - also known as bile duct cancer.

The treatment can almost triple life expectancy for patients compared with current treatment, clinical trials suggest, reports PA.

This type of cancer is often diagnosed late, when it can no longer be removed by surgery.

Fewer than one in three people diagnosed in England survive a year after diagnosis and until now, the treatment options were limited.

Huw Jones, from Llanuwchllyn in Gwynedd, called for the drug to be made available for widespread use before he died earlier this year.

Mr Jones, 33, was diagnosed with stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma in 2024 after experiencing a pain in his torso after training for a triathlon.

His diagnosis came the day before his pregnant partner's 20-week scan for their first baby.

He started taking zanidatamab as part of a clinical trial in January 2025 - the month his son, Idris, was born.

His family believe that without zanidatamab, they would not have been able to spend a year together as a family-of-three.

After Mr Jones’ death, his family backed his campaign to get the drug approved for NHS use.