Nhs Grampian | MedPath

Novel Radiotherapy Approach Helps Rectal Cancer Patients Avoid Permanent Stoma Surgery

3 months ago

• A groundbreaking clinical trial demonstrates that contact X-ray brachytherapy combined with chemo-radiotherapy increases rectum preservation rates from 56% to 79% in rectal cancer patients. • The innovative treatment approach allows doctors to target tumors directly while protecting healthy tissue, significantly improving patients' quality of life by avoiding permanent stoma surgery. • Five-year global trial involving 141 patients proves successful, with one participant achieving complete cancer remission through three rounds of brachytherapy followed by standard treatment.

NICE Rejects Alzheimer's Drug Lecanemab Despite MHRA Approval, Creating Two-Tier Access System

9 months ago

• The UK's medicines regulator (MHRA) has approved lecanemab for Alzheimer's disease, but NICE has deemed it not cost-effective for NHS use in England and Wales, limiting access to private patients willing to pay approximately £20,000 annually. • Lecanemab, sold as Leqembi, works with the immune system to reduce amyloid protein buildup and has shown to slow cognitive decline by 27% and quality of life decline by up to 56% in early-stage Alzheimer's patients during clinical trials. • Alzheimer Scotland has criticized NICE's decision as "short-sighted" and urged the Scottish Medicines Consortium to approve the drug, arguing it represents a crucial first step in disease-modifying treatment despite being suitable only for patients in early disease stages.