Latest news with #Mavenclad
STV News
a day ago
- Health
- STV News
Treatments for cancer and multiple sclerosis accepted for use on NHS
Medicines to treat patients with multiple sclerosis and a rare type of cancer have been approved for use by the NHS in Scotland. The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted Selpercatinib, also known as Retsevmo, for treating patients aged 12 and older, with a rare type of medullary thyroid cancer that is advanced and caused by mutations in a gene called RET. The SMC has also has accepted Cladribine, also known as Mavenclad, for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in adults who have signs of active disease either through clinical signs or evidence of inflammation on scans. And Ruxolitinib, also known as Jakavi, has been accepted to treat patients, aged 12 and over, with acute graft versus host disease where corticosteroids have not been effective. Acute graft versus host disease happens when donor cells attack the body shortly after a transplant. However Durvalumab, also known as Imfinzi, was not recommended when used together with tremelimumab as a first-line treatment for adults with hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer when it is advanced or cannot be removed by surgery. SMC chair Dr Scott Muir said: 'The committee is pleased to be able to accept these new medicines for use by NHSScotland. 'Cladribine as a short course of oral tablets may be a more manageable treatment option for patients with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. 'Selpercatinib offers an oral targeted treatment for a small group of patients with advanced medullary thyroid cancer, driven by a gene mutation. 'Ruxolitinib offers an oral treatment for graft versus host disease, a serious complication after a stem cell transplant. It is the only licensed treatment for use where corticosteroids have not been successful in controlling the disease. 'The committee was unable to accept durvalumab, used together with tremelimumab, for the treatment of adults with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. 'The company's evidence around the cost effectiveness of the treatment compared to currently available options was not sufficient. 'We would welcome a resubmission from the company addressing the issues we have raised.' 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
12-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Take-at-home tablet for MS approved for wider NHS rollout
A take-at-home tablet for multiple sclerosis (MS) is set to be more broadly rolled out on the NHS, potentially benefiting thousands of patients in England. The move will also 'significantly free up clinical time' by reducing the need for hospital appointments, officials said. The health service is thought to be the first in Europe to widely rollout cladribine, also known as Mavenclad and made by Merck. It has been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) for people with relapsing-remitting MS. This means they have periods where their symptoms get worse, followed by periods of recovery. Cladribine is a chemotherapy drug and kills certain white blood cells made by the immune system known as T and B cells. These cells normally attack viruses and bacteria, but in people with MS, they attack the covering around nerves in the brain and spinal cord known as the myelin sheath. Cladribine stops these cells from entering the brain or spinal cord and attacking the nerves there. It is taken for 20 days spread over four years, reducing the need for hospital visits and extensive monitoring. Cladribine was previously only recommended for patients with severe, highly active MS. The latest rollout is expected to benefit about 2,000 people over the first three years. Women with MS who want to conceive will also be able to safely do so. Professor James Palmer, medical director for specialised commissioning at NHS England, said: 'The NHS is proud to be the first healthcare system in Europe to roll out this innovative 'take at home' tablet widely for patients with active multiple sclerosis. 'Broadening access to cladribine means thousands more patients will benefit from managing their treatment at home rather than regularly attending hospital appointments – as well giving women with MS who want to get pregnant more flexibility to do so around their treatment. 'This decision will also significantly free up clinical time, helping clinicians see more patients and boosting NHS productivity.' MS Society"> Laura Thomas, head of policy at the MS Society, welcomed the news. She said: 'Over 150,000 people live with MS in the UK, and many of them rely on disease modifying therapies like cladribine to help reduce MS relapses, so expanding patient choice is vital. 'Cladribine is self-administered, so this decision could particularly benefit people who'd struggle to go into hospital regularly, like younger working-age adults. 'It will also benefit patients considering starting a family, as it's safe to get pregnant six months after the final course of treatment – which is less restrictive than many other DMT options. 'We're so glad that more people with MS will now be able to choose an effective treatment which suits their lifestyle.' Health minister Ashley Dalton added: 'We know that patients with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis face immense challenges, so I am delighted that this decision means more patients will get access to a treatment that will greatly improve their quality of life. 'By expanding access to medicines that can be taken at home, we can shift care out of hospitals and into the community, giving patients more freedom and saving the NHS money. 'This Government is committed to backing researchers and our life sciences sector to develop innovative therapies, so that NHS patients are among the first to benefit from cutting-edge healthcare.'
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Take-at-home tablet for MS approved for wider NHS rollout
A take-at-home tablet for multiple sclerosis (MS) is set to be more broadly rolled out on the NHS, potentially benefiting thousands of patients in England. The move will also 'significantly free up clinical time' by reducing the need for hospital appointments, officials said. The health service is thought to be the first in Europe to widely rollout cladribine, also known as Mavenclad and made by Merck. It has been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) for people with relapsing-remitting MS. This means they have periods where their symptoms get worse, followed by periods of recovery. Cladribine is a chemotherapy drug and kills certain white blood cells made by the immune system known as T and B cells. These cells normally attack viruses and bacteria, but in people with MS, they attack the covering around nerves in the brain and spinal cord known as the myelin sheath. Cladribine stops these cells from entering the brain or spinal cord and attacking the nerves there. It is taken for 20 days spread over four years, reducing the need for hospital visits and extensive monitoring. Cladribine was previously only recommended for patients with severe, highly active MS. The latest rollout is expected to benefit about 2,000 people over the first three years. Women with MS who want to conceive will also be able to safely do so. Professor James Palmer, medical director for specialised commissioning at NHS England, said: 'The NHS is proud to be the first healthcare system in Europe to roll out this innovative 'take at home' tablet widely for patients with active multiple sclerosis. 'Broadening access to cladribine means thousands more patients will benefit from managing their treatment at home rather than regularly attending hospital appointments – as well giving women with MS who want to get pregnant more flexibility to do so around their treatment. 'This decision will also significantly free up clinical time, helping clinicians see more patients and boosting NHS productivity.' Laura Thomas, head of policy at the MS Society, welcomed the news. She said: 'Over 150,000 people live with MS in the UK, and many of them rely on disease modifying therapies like cladribine to help reduce MS relapses, so expanding patient choice is vital. 'Cladribine is self-administered, so this decision could particularly benefit people who'd struggle to go into hospital regularly, like younger working-age adults. 'It will also benefit patients considering starting a family, as it's safe to get pregnant six months after the final course of treatment – which is less restrictive than many other DMT options. 'We're so glad that more people with MS will now be able to choose an effective treatment which suits their lifestyle.' Health minister Ashley Dalton added: 'We know that patients with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis face immense challenges, so I am delighted that this decision means more patients will get access to a treatment that will greatly improve their quality of life. 'By expanding access to medicines that can be taken at home, we can shift care out of hospitals and into the community, giving patients more freedom and saving the NHS money. 'This Government is committed to backing researchers and our life sciences sector to develop innovative therapies, so that NHS patients are among the first to benefit from cutting-edge healthcare.'
