Brasília – The Senate’s Social Affairs Committee (CAS) unanimously approved a bill on Wednesday (August 27) to include immunotherapy in the clinical protocols and therapeutic guidelines for cancer in Brazil. The proposal, based on Bill 2,371/2021, amends the foundational Health Law (Law 8.080/1990) and stipulates that immunotherapy should be incorporated into treatment protocols when it proves to be safer or more effective than traditional options.

Senator Dra. Eudócia (PL-AL), the bill’s rapporteur, argued in favor of the measure, highlighting that immunotherapy activates the patient’s immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. She emphasized that “numerous scientific studies in Brazil and worldwide demonstrate the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of immunotherapies.”

Eudócia also criticized the lengthy administrative process for incorporating new treatments into the SUS, noting that waiting periods exceeding 180 days are unreasonable for patients with cancer. She pointed out that immunotherapy works by blocking immune inhibitory pathways used by cancer cells, thus empowering the body’s natural defenses.

While immunotherapy is already used in certain cancer treatments within the SUS, broader access remains limited due to regulatory gaps. The senator warned that failing to include immunotherapy in SUS protocols leads to increased litigation and higher costs for the healthcare system.

Source: Agência Senado

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