Thousands of patients with advanced breast cancer in England and Wales will now have access to a groundbreaking new treatment after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approved capivasertib (marketed as Truqap) for routine NHS use.
The twice-daily oral medication targets hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative breast cancer, the most common form of the disease affecting approximately two-thirds of breast cancer patients. Up to 3,000 women could benefit annually from this treatment, which experts are calling "a triumph" for British science.
How Capivasertib Works
Capivasertib represents a significant advancement in targeted therapy, working by inhibiting the abnormal protein molecule AKT, which functions as a cellular 'switch' driving cancer cell multiplication. The drug is specifically designed for patients whose tumors have mutations in the PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN genes, which occur in approximately half of hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative breast cancer cases.
The treatment is administered alongside hormone therapy Fulvestrant, creating a powerful combination that helps prevent cancer cells from growing and spreading. Clinical trial results demonstrated that capivasertib increased the time before cancer progression by more than four months compared to standard treatments.
Professor Nicholas Turner of The Institute of Cancer Research, who led a major trial for the drug, emphasized its importance: "It's an immensely rewarding moment to see this drug provide patients with a treatment option and precious extra time with their families. It is now crucial that advanced breast cancer patients have their cancer tested to identify those who could benefit from this capivasertib combination."
Patient Experience
Linda Kelly, 67, a retired university manager who accessed the treatment during a trial at London's Royal Marsden hospital, shared her transformative experience with the drug after her breast cancer had spread to her liver.
"[Capivasertib] has been amazing for me and has already gifted me with nearly four years of stable disease and relatively good health," Kelly told the Mirror. "I enjoy a good quality of life, love the outdoors and enjoy travelling including a recent trip to New Zealand."
She added: "This groundbreaking drug opens the door to finding a cure for breast cancer."
Scientific Achievement
The development of capivasertib represents a significant milestone in British cancer research. Professor Kristian Helin, chief executive of the Institute of Cancer Research, described the approval as "a triumph that will improve treatment for these patients with the most common type of advanced breast cancer."
Professor Paul Workman, former chief executive of the ICR and a researcher involved with the drug's development, noted: "The drug's discovery and development, following early fundamental research, has been a long scientific journey for myself and the outstanding teams of scientists at the ICR, Astex and AstraZeneca."
NHS Implementation
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, expressed satisfaction that the organization was "able to recommend this promising new treatment as a good use of NHS resources and value for money for taxpayers."
The approval means approximately 1,100 women each year in England and Wales will immediately benefit from the treatment. However, Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, while welcoming the approval, noted that an initial rejection by NICE over uncertainties in the evidence had led to delays, highlighting ongoing challenges in the drug approval process.
Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England, emphasized the drug's role in personalized cancer care: "This new combination treatment offers an additional option for some people whose breast cancer has progressed despite previous hormone therapy, and who may benefit from a targeted approach. While it won't be suitable for everyone, giving patients more time before more intensive therapies are required is an important part of our drive to personalize cancer care and improve quality of life for patients wherever possible."
The approval of capivasertib represents a significant advancement in the treatment landscape for advanced breast cancer, offering new hope and potentially extended survival with improved quality of life for thousands of patients.
