A new treatment option has emerged for individuals battling an aggressive form of bowel cancer characterized by the BRAF V600E mutation. The National Health Service (NHS) has approved the use of a drug combination consisting of trifluridine-tipiracil hydrochloride (Lonsurf) and bevacizumab (Avastin) for patients who have exhausted other treatment avenues. This decision follows promising results from a US trial, offering hope to those with this challenging genetic subtype of bowel cancer.
Clinical Trial Results
The clinical trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrated that the combination therapy extended survival by an average of ten months in patients who had no other treatment options. In some instances, patients experienced significantly longer survival, up to seven years. These findings mark a substantial advancement in treating BRAF V600E-mutated bowel cancer, which is known for its aggressive nature and resistance to conventional therapies.
Professor Marco Gerlinger, head of gastrointestinal cancer medicine at Barts Cancer Institute in London, hailed the approval as a "fantastic development," noting the lack of effective drugs for this cancer type in the past decade.
Understanding BRAF-Mutated Bowel Cancer
Approximately one in ten Britons diagnosed with bowel cancer each year carry the BRAF mutation. This mutation causes cancer cells to grow more rapidly, often leading to earlier onset of symptoms. Chemotherapy and other standard treatments tend to become ineffective quickly in these cases, with most patients surviving less than ten months post-diagnosis. The BRAF mutation is also associated with skin and brain cancers and appears more prevalent in women.
How the Drug Combination Works
Trifluridine-tipiracil hydrochloride (Lonsurf) is an oral medication taken daily to inhibit the growth of new cancer cells. Bevacizumab (Avastin), administered intravenously every two weeks, works by blocking the formation of new blood vessels that supply tumors, thereby impeding their growth. Both drugs are continued as long as they remain effective.
Access and Impact
Prior to NHS approval, the drug combination was available privately in the UK at a cost of approximately £2,000 per month. The NICE approval now makes it accessible to around 1,000 patients annually who have undergone two failed treatments. Patient groups, while welcoming the decision, have criticized the delay in making the treatment available, as many patients died without access to it.
Call for Early Diagnosis
Patient advocacy groups like Breaking BRAF are also advocating for increased awareness among general practitioners regarding the signs of bowel cancer in young people. Symptoms such as blood in feces, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and the sensation of incomplete bowel emptying should prompt further investigation. They emphasize that early diagnosis is critical, as many cases are initially dismissed, leading to delayed treatment and poorer outcomes.
