Tarceva selectively blocks the action of a molecule called the epidermal growth factor receptor, which relays instructions to cells to grow and divide, and to ignore signals telling them to die.

Lung cancer is one of the most difficult forms of cancer to treat, and about 85 per cent of cases are non-small cell lung cancers.

Trials have shown Tarceva significantly increases the chances of a patient surviving more than a year, reducing symptoms such as breathlessness, pain and coughing.

A group of 731 patients from 17 countries including the UK with advanced NSCLC, after failed chemotherapy took part in the placebo trial. Those taking the drug showed a 45 percent improvement in one-year survival.

Early Results Encouraging

Dr. Ahmed Elmodir, consultant oncologist at University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, said: "I have used the drug in some of my lung cancer patients after chemotherapy and radiotherapy failed, and the early results are encouraging."

Unfortunately, the clinical trials have clearly shown that Tarceva works best on patients who never smoked -- but the majority of lung cancer patients are smokers.

"However, lung cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat, so any new treatment options are to be welcomed."

Before today Tarceva was only available in the United States, but the European Medicines Agency has now granted a continent-wide license for the drug to be used to treat NSCLC in patients who have had unsuccessful chemotherapy.

Not Yet Available on NHS

At present about 20,000 lung cancer patients a year are not offered active treatment for their condition as the options available are not considered appropriate or the patient is not fit enough for treatment.

Dr. Jesme Baird, of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said: "The diagnosis of lung cancer is one of the most devastating pieces of news you could imagine being given.

"It is important that more patients have access to treatments that improve their survival and quality of life, as soon as they become available."

The drug selectively blocks the action of a molecule called the epidermal growth factor receptor, which relays instructions to cells to grow and divide, and to ignore signals telling them to die.

This process seems to be particularly important for the growth and survival of some cancer cells.

Private health insurers Bupa, AXA PPP and Standard Life Healthcare have said they will make Tarceva available to qualifying members. But those waiting for treatment on the NHS might not get the drug as quickly.

It is thought that Tarceva, which is made by drugs giant Roche, will not be reviewed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence until 2007. This could make the drug more widely available across the NHS in England and Wales and help to combat the so-called postcode lottery of treatment.

'Last Hope'

A Birmingham father of one admits the Tarceva trial was his "last hope" after two rounds of chemotherapy failed to shrink the tumor in his left lung.

David Ravenscroft was suffering from shoulder pain when his GP referred him to a physiotherapist.

But when the 53-year-old former smoker failed to see any improvement in his condition, he was sent for an X-ray which revealed a large, dark mass in his lung.

Mr. Ravenscroft, who lives in Erdington, was diagnosed with lung cancer last August.

The tumor had burst through the lung wall into his rib cage, and doctors at University Hospital Birmingham and Good Hope Hospital declared it inoperable.

Between October 2004 and February 2005, Mr. Ravenscroft had seven rounds of chemotherapy, but in March it became clear it was not working.

Lung Cancer Toll