Around 2,100 people with advanced womb
cancer could benefit from a new treatment option following NICE's
recommendation of pembrolizumab (also known as Keytruda, by Merck
Sharp & Dohme) in final draft guidance published
today.
This is the first time immunotherapy
has been combined with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for
this type of cancer, for the whole group of patients. It will be
available for people with primary advanced or recurrent
endometrial cancer.
Endometrial cancer is the most common
gynaecological cancer in the UK, with around 9,700 people
diagnosed each year. Advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer can
have a major impact on life expectancy and quality of life. Only
15% of people diagnosed with stage 4 endometrial cancer survive
for 5 years or more, highlighting the urgent need for more
effective treatments.
Pembrolizumab is given in a drip
alongside chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel. It helps
the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. Chemotherapy
damages cancer cells to stop them growing and dividing. By
combining both, the treatment uses the body's immune system
alongside chemotherapy to improve
outcomes.
Clinical trials show that adding
pembrolizumab to chemotherapy reduces the risk of death by 26%
compared with chemotherapy alone. Clinical trials also show that
adding pembrolizumab to chemotherapy can slow down cancer
progression [KEYNOTE-868]. Treatment is stopped after 2 years, or
earlier if the cancer gets worse or side-effects become too
difficult.
Helen Knight, Director of
Medicines Evaluation at NICE, said:
“For people with advanced endometrial
cancer, this innovative combination offers a powerful new
treatment option. It marks a major step forward, and we're
pleased to recommend it as part of our commitment to getting the
best care to people, fast, while ensuring value for the
taxpayer”
The treatment will be available
immediately through the Cancer Drugs
Fund.
The NICE final draft guidance on pembrolizumab with
carboplatin and paclitaxel for untreated primary advanced or
recurrent endometrial cancer is available
here.
ENDS
-
Pembrolizumab is provided by Merck
Sharp & Dohme according to a commercial arrangement with
the NHS
-
The treatment will be available
through the Cancer Drugs Fund
-
The list price for pembrolizumab is
confidential, but the company has a commercial arrangement in
place which makes pembrolizumab available to the NHS with a
discount
