27.02.20
NICE recommends new treatment for follicular lymphoma
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have published final draft guidance approving a new treatment option for patients with previously-treated follicular lymphoma (grade 1 to 3A).
The new drug, lenalidomide, fights cancer cells in a different way to currently available treatments, interfering with cell processes to halt the growth of tumours and stopping them from producing their own blood vessels.
As part of the guidance, NICE has recommended using lenalidomide alongside rituximab, an anti-CD20 antibody which sticks to cancer cells to help the immune system recognise and kill them. Rituximab is often used alongside chemotherapy as the standard treatment for follicular lymphoma, but it is thought around 1 in every 5 patients relapse from rituximab with chemotherapy within two years of treatment.
Meindert Boysen, Director of the Centre for Health Technology Evaluation at NICE, said: “Lenalidomide is a new type of targeted cancer therapy for people with previously treated follicular lymphoma. It not only offers patients a chemotherapy-free treatment option, but it also benefits those whose disease has become resistant to chemotherapy or rituximab.
“Lenalidomide fights cancer cells in a different way to current treatments which should help reduce resistance and improve disease outcomes.
“The use of lenalidomide with rituximab is more toxic to cancer cells than the singular use of either drug. Importantly, patients have also been seen to overcome previous resistance to rituximab when it’s taken with lenalidomide.
“We’re therefore pleased to be able to recommend the use of lenalidomide with rituximab on the NHS, as an alternative treatment for people with previously treated follicular lymphoma.”
READ MORE: NICE approves breast cancer drug combination on Cancer Drugs Fund
READ MORE: NICE impact report says better public awareness of lung cancer could save countless lives
Health Minister Jo Churchill added: ““This new drug offers cancer patients treatment which is free from the gruelling side effects of chemotherapy, as well as giving fresh hope to those who have built resistance to existing medicines.
“Revolutionary treatments such as this demonstrate how our NHS continues to push boundaries to ensure patients receive the best possible care as research develops.”
Clinical trial evidence shows that taking lenalidomide with rituximab increases the length of time before the disease progresses by around 39 months, compared to around 14 months when taking rituximab alone.
It is estimated around 900 people would be eligible for treatment.