Medicine which targets ‘rare type’ of breast cancer approved for NHS use

Three new cancer medicines, including the first of its kind for a rare form of breast cancer, have been approved for use on the NHS in Scotland, health officials have said.

Talazoparib (Talzenna) has been accepted for treating adults with BRCA1 or 2 mutated HER2-negative advanced breast cancer, the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) revealed.

The body – which advises on newly-licensed medicines for use by NHS Scotland – also said olaparib (Lynparza) was accepted for use in conjunction with another cancer medicine for treating patients with advanced prostate cancer.

Ivosidenib (Tibsovo) was accepted for treating adults with acute myeloid leukaemia, a type of blood cancer.

Additionally, foslevodopa-foscarbidopa (Produodopa) was accepted for the treatment of advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease.

SMC officials decided against approving axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta) for treating adults with two different types of blood cancer – diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and high-grade B-cell lymphoma, when they have only received one prior therapy.

SMC chairman Dr Scott Muir said: “We are pleased to be able to accept these four new medicines for use by NHS Scotland.

“Talazoparib is the first targeted treatment to be made available for this rare type of advanced breast cancer.

“People with prostate cancer have told us how important it is to have treatment options, so we know they will welcome the availability of olaparib.

“Ivosidenib will provide a treatment for leukaemia patients where the cancer cells have a rare genetic mutation and where the patient cannot receive standard chemotherapy.

“Foslevodopa-foscarbidopa could help Parkinson’s patients with severe mobility problems that are not eligible for deep brain stimulation.”

He added: “The committee was not able to accept extending the use of axicabtagene ciloleucel to adults with lymphoma, who have only received one prior therapy.

“We would welcome a resubmission from the company.”

Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, welcomed the SMC’s approval of talazoparib (Talzenna).

She said: “It’s brilliant news that the first ever BRCA-targeted treatment for certain people with locally advanced or secondary breast cancer will now be available on the NHS in Scotland – this will be a happy moment for these patients and their loved ones.

“Talazoparib offers people the invaluable hope of extra time before their disease progresses, compared to chemotherapy, to continue doing what matters most to them.

“Also, taken as a daily tablet, the treatment means less hospital visits than intravenous chemotherapy requires, freeing up time for both patients and overstretched clinics.

“All women living with incurable secondary breast cancer deserve access to the vital treatments they need, no matter where they live.

“As such, we’re delighted that talazoparib will be available to everyone who needs it, following Nice recommending the treatment earlier this year.”