Around 80 adults per year with a type of acute lymphoblastic
leukaemia (ALL) are set to benefit after NICE today recommended
an immunotherapy combination for routine NHS use.
ALL is a rapidly progressing blood cancer which causes excess
production of immature white blood cells (lymphoblasts) in the
bone marrow, severely impacting the body's immune system. Around
350 cases of ALL are diagnosed in adults in the UK each year,
with current treatment typically involving intensive
chemotherapy. While some patients achieve complete remission with
no detectable residual cancer cells (known as MRD-negative), the
disease can still return, highlighting the need for additional
treatments at this stage.
“Up to 90% of frontline adult patients will achieve an
initial haematologic CR, but up to 50% of patients will
experience relapse and need a second line of therapy (treatment
for disease relapse).35-38” (source: Leukaemia Care)
NICE has approved blinatumomab (also called Blincyto and made by
Amgen Ltd) to be used with chemotherapy at the start of the
'consolidation' phase of treatment for adults with a specific
type of ALL. The treatment will be available for adults with
Philadelphia chromosome-negative CD19-positive B-precursor acute
lymphoblastic leukaemia with no minimal residual disease.
As an immunotherapy, blinatumomab represents an innovative
approach to treatment, helping the body's immune system fight
cancer more effectively. The treatment creates a connection
between immune cells and cancer cells, allowing the body's
natural defences to better target and eliminate leukaemia cells.
Clinical trials showed that using this treatment at the start of
the consolidation phase - a crucial period focused on preventing
cancer from returning - reduced the risk of relapse or death by
56% compared with standard chemotherapy alone.
Patient experts who provided testimony during NICE's evaluation
process, highlighted how important it is to have new treatment
options that can help prevent the disease from returning after
initial therapy.
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE,
said: "Today's recommendation means doctors can offer
this innovative treatment combination at the right time to help
prevent leukaemia from returning. The clinical evidence is
compelling, showing this treatment could give patients precious
extra months and potentially years with their loved ones.
"The patient experience shared during the process was invaluable
in helping us understand the real-world impact this treatment
could have.
"This is a great example of how NICE, working with our partners,
can ensure NHS patients in England have access to the most
promising new treatments while providing value for the taxpayer."
The treatment will be available to patients immediately, with a
confidential discount agreed between NHS England and the company.
Today's Final Draft Guidance is going out for an appeal period,
and if no appeals are received by 7 March, the guidance becomes
final.
View the full final draft guidance for Blinatumomab with chemotherapy
for consolidation treatment of Philadelphia-chromosome-negative
CD19-positive B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with no
measurable residual disease.
[ENDS]
-
About acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL):
- ALL is a cancer of lymphocyte-producing cells (white blood
cells vital for the immune system)
- Around 350 cases of ALL are diagnosed in adults in the UK
each year
- In adults, around 75-80% of ALL cases are classified as
B-precursor ALL
- ALL is most common in children, adolescents and young adults,
with around 62% of cases diagnosed in people aged under 25
- A second increase in incidence is observed in people aged
over 60 (around 16% of cases)
- It is more common in males (around 6 out of 10 cases) than
females
- A specific chromosomal abnormality known as the 'Philadelphia
chromosome' is present in 20 to 30% of adults with ALL
-
About the treatment:
- Blinatumomab is an immunotherapy given alongside chemotherapy
- Used during 'consolidation phase' of treatment
- Available with confidential commercial arrangement
- Works by helping the immune system target and destroy cancer
cells
-
Implementation:
- Treatment will be available through routine commissioning
- Treatment will be initially available through the Cancer
Drugs Fund
