Latest news with #Balversa
STV News
12-05-2025
- Health
- STV News
Bladder cancer drug approved for use but bowel cancer treatment rejected
A new treatment that could help adults suffering from a type of bladder cancer has been approved for use by the NHS in Scotland – although a drug that could help those with advanced bowel cancer has been rejected. The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), the body which approves new treatments for use by the NHS, said that erdafitinib, also known by the brand name Balversa, could be used to treat adults suffering from urothelial carcinoma, a type of bladder cancer, that has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be removed by surgery. It also approved the use of sodium thiosulfate to reduce the risk of hearing loss caused by a type of chemotherapy when this is used to treat tumours that have not spread in children aged from one month to 18 years old In addition to this, mepolizumab, also known by the brand name Nucala, was approved to treat a type of asthma called eosinophilic asthma, in both adults and children aged six and over. The drug can be used when the asthma is severe and has not been well controlled with previous treatments. SMC chair Dr Scott Muir said: 'The committee is pleased to be able to accept these new medicines for use by NHS Scotland. 'Sodium thiosulfate offers the first licensed treatment option for reducing the risk of hearing loss in children undergoing cisplatin-based chemotherapy. 'Erdafitinib offers a targeted treatment option that can be taken at home for people with bladder cancer who have already received one line of treatment.' However, the SMC said that fruquintinib, also known under the brand name Fruzaqla, was not being recommended as a treatment for adults with advanced colorectal cancer who have already received at least two lines of treatment. Dr Muir stated: 'The committee was unable to accept fruquintinib for the treatment of adults with advanced colorectal cancer. 'The company's evidence around the cost effectiveness of the treatment compared to currently available options was not sufficient.'' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Independent
09-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Once-a-day tablet for bladder cancer to be rolled out on NHS
The first targeted treatment for the most common form of bladder cancer has been given the green light for NHS use. The recommendation on erdafitinib by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice) is expected to benefit hundreds of people in England. The drug, also known as Balversa and made by Johnson & Johnson, is taken as a once-a-day tablet and works by blocking certain proteins to slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells. It has been recommended by Nice to adults with metastatic or unresectable FGFR-altered urothelial cancer who have previously received at least one line of immunotherapy that block the interaction between certain proteins. It is estimated around 420 patients will benefit. According to the NHS, about 10,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer every year. Urothelial cancer develops in the cells that form the inner lining of the bladder, urethra, ureter, or renal pelvis, the hollow part in the middle of each kidney. It accounts for about 90% of all bladder cancers, according to Nice. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said: 'I am pleased we have been able to recommend this effective, targeted treatment option which will make a significant difference to people's lives. 'There are limited treatment options for this devastating and debilitating disease, which in many cases responds poorly to immunotherapies, so I'm sure today's guidance will be welcomed by patients. 'One of the benefits of this drug is it can be taken in the comfort of the patients' own home rather than having to travel to hospital to receive the treatment.' Jeannie Rigby, chief executive of the charity Action Bladder Cancer UK, welcomed the Nice decision. 'There are very few treatments available for bladder cancer in general, and particularly for people with advanced disease,' she said. 'It's time that bladder cancer patients had some kind of new treatment available – we hope this is just the start of new hope for those with bladder cancer and their families.'
The Independent
09-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Breakthrough for bladder cancer patients as tablet treatment rolled out on NHS
A groundbreaking targeted treatment for the most common type of bladder cancer has been approved for use by the NHS, offering new hope to hundreds of patients. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has recommended erdafitinib, also known as Balversa and manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, for some adult patients in England. This decision is expected to benefit about 420 individuals. Erdafitinib is an oral medication taken once daily. It works by blocking certain proteins to slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells and has been recommended to adults with metastatic or unresectable FGFR-altered urothelial cancer who have previously received at least one line of immunotherapy that blocks the interaction between certain proteins. According to the NHS, about 10,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer every year. Urothelial cancer develops in the cells that form the inner lining of the bladder, urethra, ureter, or renal pelvis, the hollow part in the middle of each kidney. It accounts for about 90 per cent of all bladder cancers, according to Nice. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said she was 'pleased we have been able to recommend this effective, targeted treatment option which will make a significant difference to people's lives'. 'There are limited treatment options for this devastating and debilitating disease, which in many cases responds poorly to immunotherapies, so I'm sure today's guidance will be welcomed by patients. 'One of the benefits of this drug is it can be taken in the comfort of the patients' own home rather than having to travel to hospital to receive the treatment.' Jeannie Rigby, chief executive of the charity Action Bladder Cancer UK, welcomed the Nice decision. 'There are very few treatments available for bladder cancer in general, and particularly for people with advanced disease,' she said. 'It's time that bladder cancer patients had some kind of new treatment available – we hope this is just the start of new hope for those with bladder cancer and their families.'
