A take-at-home tablet which could be a ‘game-changer' for
hundreds of blood cancer patients is now available on the NHS in
England.
Patients in England with a form of blood cancer known as marginal
zone lymphoma (MZL) can now be offered an additional treatment
option which could halt the progression of their cancer and
provide an alternative to further rounds of chemotherapy.
Zanubrutinib is the first ever treatment specifically licensed
for this form of blood cancer, recommended by the National
Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for use on the
NHS today [1 August].
In clinical trials, up to 80% of patients' cancers responded to
treatment with zanubrutinib, with many of these responses
expected to last for several years.
The NHS estimates that around 470 patients are set to benefit
from this drug over the next three years.
NHS England used its commercial flexibilities to negotiate a deal
that extends access to this treatment for people with marginal
zone lymphoma.
Around 2,600 people diagnosed per year in the UK are diagnosed
with marginal zone lymphoma. While the main symptom is small
painless lumps in lymph nodes, this can often mean the cancer is
diagnosed at a more advanced stage, when it can cause persistent
tiredness and increased risk to infections.
Zanubrutinib (Brukinsa ®) will be offered to patients whose
cancer has not responded well to previous treatment and can be
taken either as once or twice a day capsules at home, potentially
reducing the inconvenience and side-effects of intravenous
chemotherapy.
Marginal zone lymphoma is a group of slow-growing non-Hodgkin
lymphomas that develops when there is uncontrollable growth in
B-cells, a type of white blood cell, which then results in
tumour-development.
Some patients can become resistant to current treatments,
including chemotherapy, which can also cause patients serious
nausea and discomfort.
Frank Burrows, 66, from North Somerset, who was
diagnosed with marginal zone lymphoma six years ago, said:
“Having a drug like Zanubrutinib is a game-changer for people
with marginal zone lymphoma and I'm delighted that it is now
available on the NHS and gives people like me who are facing this
cancer a whole new choice.
“The chemotherapy I had could knock the cancer all the way back,
but it couldn't cure it. You can go through chemotherapy two or
three times but then your body can't have any more and there is
no further treatment available. It also puts a lot of strain on
your immune system, and you can pick up all sorts of illnesses
very quickly.
“I know that this drug gives me a treatment option if my cancer
comes back and being able to take just the pill at home twice a
day takes a lot of stress and anxiety out of the equation,
compared to needing to go to hospital for treatment – it allows
you to just get on with life. It's amazing that this treatment is
now available, and it is going to give hope and higher quality of
life for people with marginal zonal lymphoma.”
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director
for cancer, said: “As the first treatment of its
kind for this type of blood cancer, zanubrutinib is a great step
forward for patients whose disease has progressed during or
following other treatments.
“This is the latest example of our efforts to improve the lives
of those facing cancer, like Frank, and will give patients
another treatment option, which can be taken in the comfort of
their own homes and help them live more ‘normal' lives, free from
the harsh side-effects of chemotherapy.”
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE
said: “We focus on getting the best care to people and
improving their quality of life, so we are pleased to be able to
recommend zanubrutinib for some people with marginal zone
lymphoma.
“This is a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that can have a
profound impact on quality of life, not just for people with the
condition, but their families and carers as well.
“Evidence suggests that this treatment increases how long people
have before their condition gets worse and increases how long
they live compared with standard care. People with marginal zone
lymphoma are typically diagnosed in their 70s, so there is a need
for effective and safe treatment options that are convenient for
them to take."
Dallas Pounds, Director of Services at Lymphoma Action,
said: “This decision is particularly important for MZL
patients, whose only treatment options until now were
chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Providing access to an oral
therapy is more convenient for many people and offers an
additional treatment option for the significant number of
patients who relapse.”
Dr Robert Mulrooney, General Manager UK and Ireland at
manufacturer BeiGene, said: “We are delighted that NICE
has recognised the clinical and economic benefit of BRUKINSA for
eligible patients across three disease areas: chronic lymphocytic
leukaemia, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia and now MZL. This
recommendation is the latest example of our commitment to making
innovative cancer medicines like BRUKINSA accessible and
affordable for patients with hematological malignancies in
the UK.”
