‘Huge breakthrough' as breast cancer pill approved for NHS
The drug, capivasertib (also known as Truqap), offers new hope for up to 3,000 women annually with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer harbouring specific genetic mutations and exhibiting spread.
Capivasertib, developed by AstraZeneca, targets the AKT protein, a molecule known to fuel the multiplication of cancer cells.
By inhibiting AKT's action, the drug effectively slows or halts the progression of the disease. Clinical trials have demonstrated the drug's efficacy, revealing that when combined with the hormone therapy, fulvestrant, capivasertib extended the period before cancer advancement by an average of 4.2 months compared to patients receiving fulvestrant and a placebo.
This translates to an improvement from 3.1 months to 7.3 months before disease progression.
The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR), which has dedicated decades of research to this area, lauded the NHS decision as a significant step forward.
The new drug is suitable for patients' tumours with mutations or alterations in the PIK3CA, AKT1 or PTEN genes, which are found in approximately half of patients with this form of breast cancer.
Professor Nicholas Turner, from the ICR and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, led a major trial into the drug.
He said: 'This positive Nice (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) recommendation means that thousands of NHS patients with advanced breast cancer with these specific biomarkers can now receive this innovative targeted treatment to keep their cancer from progressing for longer.
'It's an immensely rewarding moment to see this drug provide patients with a treatment option and precious extra time with their families.
'It is now crucial that advanced breast cancer patients have their cancer tested to identify those who could benefit from this capivasertib combination.'
Professor Kristian Helin, chief executive of the ICR, said: 'This announcement is a triumph that will improve treatment for these patients with the most common type of advanced breast cancer.
'Around half of patients with this kind of breast cancer have mutations in one or more of the genes, and for these patients, capivasertib can halt disease progression.
'I'm delighted that access to the drug is being expanded to NHS patients in England and Wales who are in desperate need of better options.
'The approval is also a significant achievement for the ICR, and a great success story for British science.
'Decades of discovery science work and a major drug discovery project by ICR researchers, along with a crucial partnership with Astex Pharmaceuticals, paved the way to the discovery of capivasertib by AstraZeneca.'
Professor Paul Workman, former chief executive of the ICR and researcher in the AKT drug discovery project, has previously said the drug is a 'huge breakthrough'.
He said of the Nice approval: 'I am delighted to celebrate this landmark moment and see capivasertib become available on the NHS.
'The drug's discovery and development, following early fundamental research, has been a long scientific journey for myself and the outstanding teams of scientists at the ICR, Astex and AstraZeneca.
'It's immensely gratifying that years of collaboration have contributed to this new cancer drug, which has the potential to improve the lives of so many NHS patients living with advanced breast cancer.'
Main symptoms of breast cancer in women
NHS
Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, welcomed the approval but said an initial rejection by Nice over uncertainties in the evidence had led to delays.
'This happens too often and urgent action must be taken to ensure the quick approval of breast cancer drugs so they can be made available promptly to those who need them,' she said.
'NHS England must now put in place prompt genetic testing to ensure those eligible receive capivasertib without further delay.
'The Scottish Medicines Consortium must also consider this treatment at pace now, so that we see it made available to all who need it across the UK.'
Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for Cancer at NHS England, said the treatment would not be suitable for everyone but giving patients more time 'before more intensive therapies are required is an important part of our drive to personalise cancer care and improve quality of life for patients wherever possible'.
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said it had heard about the 'devastating impact that being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer has on people's lives'.
She said Nice was 'pleased the company has worked with us so that we are able to recommend this promising new treatment as a good use of NHS resources and value for money for taxpayers.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Wes Streeting issues 'don't strike' appeal to NHS staff before crunch union talks
Nurses and other NHS staff have seen their 3.6% pay rise this year swallowed up by inflation - Health Secretary Wes Streeting explains why they should accept it Wes Streeting has started crunch talks with unions and issued a direct appeal to NHS staff to reject strikes. Inflation has since swallowed up any real terms increase for 2025/26 and unions are demanding urgent reforms to boost working conditions and speed up career progression to avoid walkouts. The Health Secretary met with the ambulance workers' union yesterday after the bulk of the NHS workforce rejected a 3.6% pay rise. GMB negotiators came out saying talks had been "positive" but warned other NHS staff "need to be invested in - not just the doctors". Other NHS unions have been angered after resident doctors, who staged a five-day strike last month, got a 5.4% deal. 'I'm a doctor and can earn £10k more a month after quitting NHS for Australia' Speaking to the Mirror, Mr Streeting said: 'I've spent a lot of time shadowing ambulance crews on the frontline and they've got a really challenging job. I know that crews are concerned about their pay, conditions and career progression. 'I'm absolutely committed to working constructively with the trade unions. The advantage of having a Labour government is that we work constructively on our industrial relations. We want a genuine partnership with a workforce. We don't want to be at loggerheads in the way that our conservative predecessors were and it does require a bit of give and take.' The Treasury has said it cannot improve on the headline pay deal but Mr Streeting is starting a period of intense negotiations with health unions in an attempt to offer them enough other perks to stop them striking later this year. Unions also want commitments to above inflation deals over the rest of the parliament. It comes as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measure of inflation is 3.6% and the Retail Price Index (RPI) measure - which includes mortgage costs - is 4.4%. Unions representing most workers on the main NHS contract - Unison, the Royal College of Nursing, Unite and GMB - have opposed this year's 3.6% pay award. Resident doctors were awarded 5.4% and their union, the British Medical Association (BMA), had already balloted for strikes and has a mandate for doctors to stage walk-outs until January. Mr Streeting has since met the Royal College of Nursing and joked yesterday during a visit to University College Hospital in north London that General Secretary Nicola Ranger had been "banging my head" on issues around career progression and pay. He will meet the Unite union in the next fortnight. Mr Streeting said: 'One of the things I have been saying to the doctors is, 'I've got to make sure that their careers in the NHS improve, but I've got a responsibility to other NHS staff too'. I've got a responsibility to the whole 1.5 million strong workforce. 'So we've been having good discussions, not just with the BMA, but more constructively with the Royal College of Nursing, Unison, GMB, who I'll meet today, and soon with Unite. I do want to work constructively with the trade unions, because I genuinely think if we improve the conditions, the recruitment, the retention of staff, we'll be improving the lives of patients. 'Because the Labour government is putting in place the resources and the reform the NHS needs, but we can't do it alone. I'm relying on 1.5 million brilliant people who work in the NHS.' It came on the day Mr Streeting announced a "graduate guarantee" for nurses and midwives helping them get a job after they get qualified. NHS providers will be able to begin recruiting before vacancies formally arise, based on demand projections, to stop a situation where many newly qualified nurses can't get a job. NHS staff on the main Agenda for Change contract - which excludes doctors and dentists - have been awarded a 3.6% increase for 2025/26. This uplift was recommended by the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) based on evidence submitted by the government, employers and unions. However unions have questioned the impartiality of the pay review body. The GMB is looking for a commitment to restore real-terms pay lost during 15 years over Tory rule over the next two parliaments. They are calling for ambulance workers to get a similar early retirement age to other first-responders, police and firefighters. The union is calling for lower paid hospital staff to have their salaries increased to the UK Living Wage and says all NHS staff must be exempt from hospital parking charges. Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said: 'We had a positive meeting with the Health Secretary today. We raised issues from the frontline - members feeling undervalued and demoralised. 'GMB priorities are restorative pay and we need to see Government commit to this. There are fixes that Government can do now to help workers on the ground feel the changes. Agenda for Change staff need to be invested in, not just the doctors. Wes said they are looking to invest in the Agenda for Change contract reforms and seeing where more money can be found for this.'
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Three new cancer drugs approved for use for NHS Scotland
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) approved the drug brentuximab vedotin, also known as Adcetris, which can be used together with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for adult patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma – an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. (Image: Image from PA) SMC vice chair Graeme Bryson said the treatment could 'help increase how long people with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma have before their cancer gets worse'. Meanwhile, zanubrutinib, also known as Brukinsa, was accepted to treat adults with mantle cell lymphoma – a rare type of the blood cancer non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The SMC has also approved the drug ripretinib – also known as Qinlock – to treat adults with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours, which are a rare type of cancer of the digestive system. In addition to these drugs it has agreed the NHS can use mirikizumab, also known as Omvoh, for adults with Crohn's disease, a lifelong condition which is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. READ NEXT: Rock band to play huge headline show in Glasgow Graeme Bryson said: 'The committee is pleased to be able to accept these new medicines for use by NHS Scotland. 'Brentuximab vedotin, used together with chemotherapy, could help increase how long people with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma have before their cancer gets worse. 'Ripretinib provides a fourth-line treatment for advanced gastro-intestinal stromal tumours where currently there is no standard treatment available. 'Zanubrutinib offers an additional oral targeted treatment option for patients with mantle cell lymphoma who have already received one or more lines of treatment. 'Mirikizumab offers an additional treatment option for people with moderate to severe Crohn's disease whose disease is not controlled on standard or biologic treatment.' READ NEXT: Two teens nicked after 'DPD van chased' through streets by cops However, the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) said it could not approve a new treatment for patients with the lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because of a lack of evidence around its cost-effectiveness. It also rejected the drug dupilumab, also known as Dupixent, as a treatment on the NHS for adults with COPD that is controlled on current standard treatments. Bryson said: 'The committee was unable to accept dupilumab for treating patients with COPD as the company's evidence around the cost-effectiveness of the treatment was not sufficient. We would welcome a resubmission from the company.' Joseph Carter, head of the charity Asthma + Lung UK Scotland, added: 'If the cost effectiveness of dupilumab for use by NHS Scotland can be improved, we are hopeful that the Scottish Medicines Consortium will revisit its decision. 'With an estimated 241,000 people living with COPD in Scotland, there is hope that this drug could help guide research for other targeted therapies. 'More lung research is desperately needed to enable a breakthrough to help better control or even cure COPD.'
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Common painkiller linked to deadly heart failure in older people
A major study found pregabalin raises heart failure risk, especially in older patients with heart disease. A widely prescribed drug for nerve pain, anxiety and epilepsy has been linked to a significantly higher risk of heart failure, prompting calls for doctors to be more cautious when offering it to certain patients. Pregabalin, available on prescription in the UK, was associated with a 48 percent increased risk of developing heart failure, according to a major new study. The risk was even greater among those with an existing history of heart disease, rising to 85 percent compared with patients prescribed gabapentin, a similar medication used for nerve pain. The research, led by Columbia University Irving Medical Centre, examined the records of 246,237 Medicare patients aged between 65 and 89 over a four-year period. All participants had chronic non-cancer pain lasting longer than 12 weeks and none had previously been diagnosed with heart failure. Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. While it can affect people at any age, it becomes more common as people grow older due to natural weakening and stiffening of the heart muscle. During the study period, 1470 participants were admitted to hospital with heart failure. Researchers calculated that for every 1000 people taking pregabalin, there were around six additional cases each year compared with those not on the drug. Dr Elizabeth Park, who led the study, said the findings supported the European Medicines Agency's current advice for doctors to be cautious when prescribing pregabalin to older adults with heart disease. 'Doctors should consider the cardiovascular risks of pregabalin, particularly for older or vulnerable patients,' the researchers said in their conclusion. Pregabalin works by altering the way nerves send messages to the brain and is often used when traditional painkillers fail to relieve nerve pain. While generally considered safe under medical supervision, the drug can cause side effects including headaches, diarrhoea, nausea, blurred vision and memory problems. In rare instances, pregabalin can trigger a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. The NHS advises that pregabalin is only suitable for adults and may not be appropriate for people over 65. It should not be given to children under 18. Doctors are advised to check whether patients have ever had an allergic reaction to pregabalin or any other medication, a history of substance misuse, or are pregnant or breastfeeding before prescribing the drug. People on a controlled sodium diet, or those with kidney problems, are also advised to consult their doctor, as some liquid formulations contain sodium. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Patients with breathing difficulties should also inform their healthcare provider before starting treatment. Although there is no cure for heart failure, recognising symptoms early can help slow its progression and improve quality of life. Common signs include shortness of breath during activity or when lying down, fatigue, and swelling in the legs, ankles and feet. Other symptoms can include a persistent cough, rapid or irregular heartbeat, dizziness and fainting. Experts say prevention is key to reducing the likelihood of heart failure. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, eating a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, and controlling conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can all help lower the risk.
