People with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) whose cancer has returned or not responded to earlier treatment will soon gain access to a new option on the NHS in England after national advisers backed glofitamab in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GemOx).

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has issued Final Draft Guidance recommending the use of glofitamab (Columvi) plus GemOx for adults with relapsed or refractory disease after one previous line of therapy who are not suitable for stem cell transplant. The decision enables the NHS to begin rolling out the treatment across England. Other UK nations make their own assessments, although Wales is expected to follow.

DLBCL is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the UK, with around 5,500 diagnoses each year. While many patients respond well to first-line therapy, outcomes are much poorer when the disease returns or becomes resistant. For people who relapse and are unable to proceed to transplant, treatment options have remained limited.

Glofitamab is a bispecific antibody designed to bring together two types of immune cells, activating the body’s own defences against cancer. When used alongside chemotherapy, the approach aims to control disease in situations where standard options offer little benefit. The European Commission approved the combination in April 2025.

Patient organisations have welcomed the NHS decision. Tracey Loftis, deputy director of policy and influencing at Blood Cancer UK, said: “This approval in England marks a real step forward for people living with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who didn’t respond to treatment or whose blood cancer has come back. Even as new treatments become available, getting a timely blood cancer diagnosis is critical. Blood cancer symptoms like persistent tiredness, night sweats, weight loss or swollen lymph nodes should never be ignored.”

She added that blood cancer remains the UK’s fifth most common cancer and third biggest cancer killer, highlighting the role of research and clinical trials in expanding treatment choices.

Roche has submitted the combination to the Scottish Medicines Consortium and is awaiting an assessment date. People already receiving the therapy will continue treatment under existing arrangements.