NHS to get tumour-busting lung cancer drug in weeks
A NOVEL lung cancer drug that stops tumours growing by targeting the socalled ‘Death Star’ gene mutation will soon be made available to NHS patients, it has been announced.
It comes after 40 years of research into the mutation on the KRAS gene, which is present in a quarter of all tumours.
The mutation is called the “Death Star” because of it’s impenetrable nature and shape.
Clinical trials of sotorasib, which is taken as a tablet, confirmed that it binds to the KRAS G12C mutation, making it inactive, so cells stop dividing and the cancer stops growing.
The treatment has been shown to eliminate tumour growth within seven months.
Around 600 lung cancer patients who have the gene mutation will be offered the drug, initially in England, within a few weeks, making them the first in Europe to receive it.
It is estimated around 47,800 people a year are diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK, making it the third most common cancer.
Prof Peter Johnson, NHS Clinical Director for Cancer, said the “revolutionary treatment” has taken “decades of research” to reach clinics and will now be available for eligible people with lung cancer “as quickly as possible thanks to this agreement”.
NHS England secured an early-access deal for the drug from the manufacturer Amgen after it was approved by the medicines regulator.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is reviewing the cost effectiveness of the treatment and until it makes its recommendations it has been offered free of charge to the NHS.
Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, said: “The UK is leading the world in rolling out new treatments so patients can access them as early as possible.
“This ground-breaking new drug, which stops lung tumours growing, will make a difference to people across England and boosts our efforts to get people the treatment they need.”
Prof Charles Swanton, Cancer Research UK’S chief clinician, said: “Sotorasib is one of the most exciting breakthroughs in lung cancer treatment in 20 years, targeting a cancer gene that was previously untargetable and built on decades of laboratory research that has unravelled cancer’s inner workings.
“This medicine expands our list of effective precision therapies in lung cancer that are helping to improve survival for patients with limited options. It’s great news that patients in England will now benefit from this novel treatment.”