Capecitabine (Xeloda; Roche), gefitinib (Iressa; AstraZeneca) and rituximab (MabThera; Roche) have all been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in final guidance published today (28 July 2010).
Capecitabine is recommended, in combination with a platinum-based regimen, for the first-line treatment of inoperable advanced gastric cancer.
Gefitinib is recommended for the first-line treatment of people with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer if they test positive for the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase mutation and AstraZeneca provides the drug according to the agreed patient access scheme (see Panel).
NICE has recommended rituximab, in combination with the fludarabine and cyclophosphamide, for the treatment of relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, except when the condition has not previously responded to fludarabine or the patient has relapsed within six months of treatment, or has previously been treated with rituximab.
Following an appeal in May 2010 against a NICE final appraisal of the use of rituximab, the same combination will also be available to patients who have already been treated with rituximab at a lower dose than the licensed amount and as part of a clinical trial, or who have previously received the drug in combination with other chemotherapy drugs as part of a clinical trial.
Panel: Gefitinib patient access schemeAstraZeneca has proposed a patient access scheme whereby gefitinib is provided at no cost for the first two months of treatment. From the third month onwards, gefitinib will be provided at a single fixed cost of £12,200 per patient, irrespective of the duration of treatment. |
