New drug hope for ‘Jolie’ cancer gene
Treatment stops tumours spreading
CANCER patients with the “Jolie gene” will be offered a new drug to stop tumours spreading following a landmark NHS deal.
Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, 47, opted for a double mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA gene.
But the olaparib drug targets prostate and breast cancers by stopping tumour cells from repairing their DNA.
NHS England has struck a deal with AstraZeneca after regulators rejected it for being too dear.
Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said: “It’s fantastic news that olaparib, which is a ground-breaking and potentially life-saving treatment for certain people with primary breast cancer, has now been approved for use on the NHS.”
Around 550 men with advanced prostate cancer and 300 women with HER2-negative early breast cancer, who are at high risk of the disease returning, will be eligible each year in England.
About 5% to 10% of women with breast cancer have an altered gene, of which BRCA1 and 2 genes are most common. Baroness Morgan said olaparib can reduce the risk of cancer returning or becoming incurable.
The drug, also known as Lynparza, blocks an enzyme that helps cells repair damaged DNA called poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase.
Taking the PARP inhibitor in tablet form causes cancerous cells to die.
Joannah Kelly, 44, was diagnosed with primary breast cancer in 2020, nine days before giving birth to her second child. After chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a mastectomy, the mother of two received olaparib for a year.
It was sponsored by her workplace health insurer.
The BRCA2 carrier, from Croydon, South London, said: “I’m elated that olaparib has now been approved for routine use on the NHS.”
Trials found after surgery and chemotherapy the pills raised cancer-free survival from 75% to 83%.
Amanda Pritchard, NHS England chief executive, said “Olaparib could have a huge impact on patients with a range of cancer types, giving many a better chance of survival while offering those with advanced forms of the disease precious extra months to live.”