Pembrolizumab could help more women survive and stay cancer-free in the long-term.

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: ‘This is great news for women facing a diagnosis of aggressive cervical cancer – and represents one of the biggest improvements in treatment for this disease in recent years.

‘Combining this immunotherapy with existing treatment has had very positive effect for patients in trials, helping the body's immune system to target cancer more effectively.

‘We're delighted it will be available for patients on the NHS as it could help hundreds more women survive and stay cancer-free in the long-term.'

The NHS estimates around 550 patients in England will be eligible for the treatment over the next two years, around 270 per year.

The treatment has today been approved by NICE for treating patients with stages 3 or 4 locally advanced cervical cancer, following a commercial deal struck by NHS England with manufacturer MSD.