This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Two new drugs for breast cancer patients approved
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended two new drugs for routine funding after the companies lowered its prices and gave more evidence for their effectiveness.
Palbociclib from Pfizer and ribociclib from Norvatis have been recommended for people with hormone reception (HR) positive, HER2 negative locally advanced or secondary breast cancer.
Although it was formerly uncertain how long the drugs extend the life expectancy of people with this type of breast cancer, the drugs were found to stall the growth of cancer for an extra 10 months on average.
The committee also discussed other potential benefits, such as reducing the need for chemotherapy.
Both drugs are given as a tablet once-daily alongside an aromatase inhibitor, a type of anti-cancer drug that blocks the production of oestrogen, stopping the hormone’s ability to stimulate some breast cancers to grow.
Palbociclib and ribociclib are the first of a new type of drug that slows cancer by inhibiting two proteins called CDK 4 and 6.
Carole Longson, director of the centre for health technology evaluation at NICE, said: “The committee heard that by postponing disease progression, palbociclib and ribociclib may reduce the number of people who are exposed to the often unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy, and delay the need for its use in others.
“We are pleased therefore that the companies have been able to agree reductions to the price of palbociclib and ribociclib to allow them to be made routinely available to people with this type of breast cancer.”
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