The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has approved two new cancer treatments that will provide additional therapeutic options for patients with prostate and liver cancers in Scotland's National Health Service (NHS).
New Treatment Options for Advanced Cancers
Talazoparib (marketed as Talzenna), used in combination with enzalutamide, has been accepted for the treatment of adults with prostate cancer. This oral therapy offers a targeted approach for patients with advanced disease, particularly benefiting those who cannot undergo or prefer to avoid chemotherapy.
Simultaneously, cabozantinib (marketed as Cabozantinib Ipsen) received approval for treating adults with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a common form of liver cancer. The SMC specified that this treatment would be available only to patients who have already received previous therapy, positioning it as a second-line treatment option.
Oliver Kemp, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer Research, emphasized the significance of the approval: "It provides more options, especially for those who cannot have, or do not want, chemotherapy."
Colm Doody from Pfizer UK highlighted the importance of treatment accessibility: "It's essential patients gain access to new treatments, including those in the later stages of the condition."
Rejected Treatments and Future Considerations
Despite these approvals, the SMC rejected two other medications. Ripretinib (marketed as Qinlock), intended for adults with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), was not approved due to "uncertainty around cost-effectiveness in relation to health benefits," according to SMC Chair Dr. Scott Muir.
Similarly, spesolimab (marketed as Spevigo) for treating flare-ups of generalised pustular psoriasis, a rare and severe inflammatory skin condition, was rejected due to "uncertainties in the evidence when compared to current treatments."
Dr. Muir stated that the committee would welcome resubmissions from the manufacturers addressing these concerns.
Impact on Cancer Care in Scotland
The approval of these new treatments comes at a critical time for cancer awareness in Scotland. Recently, Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy's disclosure of his terminal prostate cancer diagnosis prompted nearly 290,000 men to use an online risk checker for the disease.
Prostate cancer detection has gained additional attention after BBC presenter and former Scotland rugby star John Beattie underwent a prostate examination live on air in January to encourage more men to get checked.
The introduction of talazoparib and cabozantinib represents an important advancement in Scotland's cancer treatment landscape, offering oral therapy options that may improve quality of life for patients with these challenging malignancies.
Dr. Muir summarized the SMC's position: "The committee is pleased to be able to accept two new medicines for use by NHS Scotland. Talazoparib and cabozantinib offer additional oral treatment options for prostate cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma respectively."
These approvals reflect ongoing efforts to expand the therapeutic arsenal available to cancer patients in Scotland, particularly for those with advanced disease who have limited treatment options.
