The drug, infliximab, was administered at the John Radcliffe Hospital, part of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH), on May 12.
This is the first new drug approved for this patient group in more than 50 years.
Simone Hunter, the first patient at Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) to receive the drug, said: “I am excited about the possibility of reducing the number of medications I need.
“I have been on various immunosuppressants for a long time, and the side effects have started to surface.
“The commissioning of this drug is very welcome news.
“I have always felt well cared for by the team at OUH.
“They have been amazing and accessible, and I have great faith in them.
“I am truly grateful for their hard work in making this treatment a reality.”
Sarcoidosis is where the immune system overreacts, causing inflammation and granuloma formation (immune nodules). This happens mainly in the lungs but can also include other organs.
It can affect people of all ages and can be particularly severe in some cases.
Patients with severe sarcoidosis often require multiple immunosuppressants, which can increase the risk of infections and further complications.
Infliximab, a biologic therapy used to treat inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis, has now been commissioned by NHS England (NHSE) for use in pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Supported by NICE, it will be used as an unlicensed/off-label medicine for the patients after a national commissioning process began in 2016.
Professor Ling-Pei Ho, consultant in respiratory medicine at OUH and lead of the Oxford Sarcoidosis Service, had a hand in the commissioning of the drug, by chairing the first NHSE working policy group and contributing to the second.
Infliximab neutralises a protein called TNF-α, that is produced by overactive immune cells in diseases like sarcoidosis. This then reduces the need for broad immunosuppressants to manage the condition.
Professor Ho said: “We are very pleased to be able to offer a new medicine for our patients with severe lung sarcoidosis.
“Infliximab offers the potential to reduce reliance on broad immunosuppressants in patients with the progressive and destructive form of lung sarcoidosis.”
Professor Andrew Brent, chief medical officer at OUH, said: “This is fantastic news for our patients with lung sarcoidosis.
“The commissioning of this drug is a great example of our teams’ dedication to continually improving patient care.
“It stands as a testament to their unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients.”