NHS England began rolling out a new subcutaneous form of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in May 2026, allowing many eligible cancer patients to receive the medicine as an injection under the skin rather than by intravenous infusion.
The main change is convenience and clinic time. NHS England says the injection can be administered in about 60 seconds and can reduce administration time by up to 90% compared with the intravenous form. Around 14,000 patients start pembrolizumab treatment each year in England, and most are expected to be eligible for the injectable formulation where clinically appropriate.
Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy that blocks PD-1, a protein involved in regulating immune responses. It is used across multiple cancer types, but the new route of administration does not mean the drug itself is newly effective or suitable for every cancer patient. Eligibility still depends on the cancer type, treatment plan and specialist assessment.
Some people receiving pembrolizumab alongside other intravenous medicines may continue to have infusions rather than switching to the injection. The rollout should therefore be understood as a change in how an established treatment can be delivered for many patients, rather than a new cancer cure.
For eligible patients, the shorter administration time may reduce time spent in treatment units and free capacity for NHS cancer services. Treatment decisions should remain with the patient’s oncology team.
