Children’s cancer drug approved

A drug that could improve survival rates for children with a rare and “notoriously difficult to treat” form of cancer has been approved by the NHS in Scotland.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has agreed Dinutuximab beta – also known as Qarziba – can be used to try to help youngsters with neuroblastoma. Drug manufacturers said the decision could benefit about seven children a year.

The disease is a cancer of the nerve cells, which occurs mainly in very young children, with campaigners saying the decision meant patients in Scotland would receive the same type of care as in other parts of the UK. Neuroblastoma UK chairman Tony Heddon said: “This is fantastic news for the families in Scotland of newly diagnosed children with this cancer and ensures they will receive the same standard of care as other children in the rest of the UK.

He added: “Highrisk neuroblastoma is a notoriously difficult to treat and aggressive cancer that leaves young patients and their families facing an uncertain future. Children battling this disease need all the help they can get. We welcome this decision and would like to recognise the efforts made to ensure a successful outcome.”

The drug can improve survival rates and, for those patients who have not responded to initial treatments, it may be able to delay the progression of the disease.