Article · Health news

MHRA approves Zynyz for Merkel cell cancer

Health news Published · sources checked

The MHRA approved retifanlimab (Zynyz) on 6 July 2026 as the first treatment for adults with advanced Merkel cell skin cancer.

Key points

  • The MHRA approved retifanlimab (Zynyz) on 6 July 2026.
  • It is the first treatment for adults with advanced Merkel cell skin cancer that has spread or returned and cannot be cured by surgery or radiotherapy.
  • The MHRA describes it as an immunotherapy given by infusion.
  • In a study of 101 adults, 53.5% responded to retifanlimab.

What was announced

The MHRA says it approved retifanlimab (Zynyz) on 6 July 2026 as the first treatment for adults with advanced Merkel cell skin cancer. The approval is for cancer that has spread or returned and cannot be cured with surgery or radiotherapy.

What it means

The MHRA explains that retifanlimab is an immunotherapy that helps the body's immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. It is given as a diluted intravenous infusion over 30 minutes.

The MHRA reports that in a study of 101 adults who had not previously been treated for advanced disease, 53.5% responded to retifanlimab.

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