Thousands of patients grappling with aggressive forms of head and neck cancer have been offered a significant breakthrough with the advent of a 'smart jab' known as amivantamab, or by its brand name Rybrevant. This innovative injection has demonstrated a remarkable ability to dramatically slow the spread of the disease, with trials revealing its capacity to shrink or halt tumours within an impressive six-week timeframe. While currently accessible to some patients battling aggressive lung cancer, it is not yet available through the NHS, though experts are increasingly optimistic about its broader potential.

Groundbreaking research presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology in Berlin highlighted amivantamab's efficacy, showing that it kept a difficult-to-treat, aggressive form of head and neck cancer at bay for almost seven extra months compared to control groups. Researchers lauded the 'smart' drug as a 'significant step forward' and suggested it 'could represent a real shift in how we treat head and neck cancer'.

Head and neck cancer encompasses various malignancies affecting the mouth, throat, voice box, nose, sinuses, and salivary glands. Historically, these cancers were predominantly linked to lifestyle factors such as smoking and heavy drinking. However, recent research indicates that human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus primarily spread through close contact including sexual activity, may be responsible for up to 70 per cent of head and neck cancers. Although usually harmless, HPV can, in some cases, trigger cancerous changes in healthy tissues, a mechanism also known to cause cervical, anal, and penile cancers. A notable increase in head and neck cancers, particularly among younger and middle-aged individuals, has been associated with oral sex.

The global trial for amivantamab spanned 11 countries and involved patients suffering from recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, an advanced stage of the disease that has either recurred post-initial treatment or spread to distant organs. All trial participants had previously undergone both immunotherapy and chemotherapy, with 86 of them subsequently receiving amivantamab as a standalone treatment.

The jab's effectiveness stems from its unique triple-action mechanism. Firstly, it blocks EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor), a protein crucial for tumour growth. Secondly, it targets and blocks MET, an alternative pathway frequently exploited by cancer cells to evade treatment. Lastly, amivantamab actively assists the immune system in recognizing and combating the tumour cells. Scientists observed that over three-quarters of patients treated with the smart jab experienced 'clinical benefit,' meaning their cancer either shrank or ceased growing. This positive response was typically observed within six weeks, accompanied by mild to moderate side effects. On average, the cancer's progression was delayed by 6.8 months, and as of July 2025, a significant 62 per cent (53 out of 86 patients) of this cohort were still actively receiving the novel treatment.

Carl Walsh, a 59-year-old from Birmingham diagnosed with tongue cancer in May 2024, is one patient who experienced the benefits firsthand. After unsuccessful chemotherapy and immunotherapy, Mr. Walsh joined the trial at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in London. He shared, "I'm now on my 7th cycle of treatment, it's working well so far and I'm very happy with the progress. Before starting the trial, I couldn't talk properly and eating was difficult but the swelling has gone down a lot, and I'm not in the same amount of pain I used to be in. Sometimes I even forget that I have cancer. The only side effect I've experienced so far is minor skin issues, which is a big relief compared to the many side effects I had with chemotherapy."

Professor Kevin Harrington, an expert in biological cancer therapies at The Institute of Cancer Research and a consultant oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, commented on the significance of this 'first-time' triple-action therapy for head and neck cancer patients with recurrent disease. He highlighted the practical advantages, stating, "Unlike many cancer treatments that require hours in a hospital chair, amivantamab is given as a simple injection under the skin. This makes it faster, more convenient, and potentially easier to deliver in outpatient clinics — or even at home in the future." Professor Harrington emphasized the encouraging level of benefit for heavily pre-treated patients, reiterating that this could fundamentally transform head and neck cancer care, both in terms of efficacy and delivery.

Professor Clare Isacke, dean of academic and research affairs of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, reinforced these sentiments, acknowledging the urgent need for more effective and accessible treatments for individuals living with head and neck cancer. She underscored amivantamab's promise, particularly its ability to deliver meaningful clinical benefit via a simple injection, as a significant advancement.

In the UK, head and neck cancers collectively represent the eighth most common form of cancer, with approximately 12,500 new cases diagnosed annually, according to Cancer Research UK. The incidence rates are on the rise, and these cancers are observed to be two to three times more prevalent in men than in women. Macmillan Cancer Support states that nine out of ten head and neck cancers originate in squamous cells, which are flat, skin-like cells that line the inside of the mouth, nose, larynx, thyroid, and throat.