The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has announced the recommendation of Tagrisso (osimertinib) for routine use in two new lung cancer indications. The first indication is in the locally advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-positive non-small cell lung cancer and as a second-line treatment for T790M mutation subtype.
This decision has been taken based on the clinical data demonstrating the therapy’s benefit in progression-free survival as compared to current standard of care of daily oral dose of afatinib, erlotinib, gefitinib or dacomitinib. The decision has also taken highlights owing to the mark of reversal of NICE’s original decision to reject the drug due to concerns over its cost-effectiveness. In trials, Tagrisso topped Roche’s Tarceva and AstraZeneca’s own Iressa at lowering cancer growth among new NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations. NICE also said that the decision based on new data from AURA3 trail and those collected from real-world use of Tagrisso is under conditional pathway.
Meindert Boysen, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of the Centre for Health Technology Evaluation at NICE, said; “We are pleased to be able to recommend osimertinib as a first- and second-line treatment option to patients with a relatively rare form of lung cancer.” “Osimertinib has shown the ability to improve the lives of patients with this devastating disease, and is likely to extend their time with loved ones. I know this news will be welcomed by patients and their families and careers,” he added.
As the coronavirus outbreak is going on, Tagrisso has been available for untreated patients under temporary NHS rules designed to allow flexibility for cancer patients.
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