Hundreds of patients to benefit from revolutionary lung cancer drug on the NHS

NHS England | March 2022 | Hundreds of patients to benefit from revolutionary lung cancer drug on the NHS

A revolutionary targeted drug for lung cancer will be made available to anyone who is eligible, thanks to a new drug deal, the head of the NHS announced earlier this month.

Sotorasib targets a genetic mutation, dubbed the ‘death star’, by medics and scientists, and has been proven during trials to prevent lung cancer from growing for seven months.

NHS patients in England were the first in Europe to benefit from the drug in September thanks to an early access agreement made with the manufacturer.

Around 100 patients have already received the treatment.

Announcing the new deal, Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive, said it meant even more patients could now benefit, with 600 people eligible for the ‘cutting edge’ drug every year.

Around one in eight lung cancer patients will have this lethal ‘death star’ mutation of the KRAS gene, so called because of its spherical appearance and impenetrable nature.

This first-of-its-kind treatment has taken more than four decades to develop and is the latest deal struck by the NHS as part of its Long Term Plan commitment to secure access to more innovative therapies.

The drug, which can be taken at home making it more convenient for patients, could also represent a major breakthrough in treatments for some of the world’s other deadliest cancers, including pancreatic and colorectal cancers.

It is also expected to offer a better and longer life than standard chemotherapy could, while also producing fewer side effects, boosting patients’ quality of life.

(Source: NHS England).

Full news story from NHS England

Cancer treatment and decision making in individuals with intellectual disabilities

Boonman, A. J., Cuypers, M., Leusink, G. L., Naaldenberg, J. & Bloemendal, H. J. (2022). Cancer treatment and decision making in individuals with intellectual disabilities. The Lancet Oncology. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(21)00694-X

Summary

Adults with intellectual disabilities face disparities in receipt of cancer-related care, which could contribute to an increase in the rate of cancer-related deaths in this population. Yet, relatively little is known about the optimal cancer treatment or treatment decision making in adults with intellectual disabilities. This scoping review assessed PubMed and Embase for available literature on the description of cancer treatment and treatment decision making in patients with intellectual disabilities, published in English between Jan 1, 2000, and April 30, 2020. We appraised 90 included articles and extracted quotes addressing aspects related to cancer treatment and treatment decision making in patients with intellectual disabilities. Themes and subcategories were subsequently derived. Our findings revealed that the available literature describes that people with intellectual disabilities tend to have less intensive cancer treatment than generally administered, but with little evidence supporting this approach. This finding indicates that this medically vulnerable patient population needs tailored attention in both cancer care and research. We propose changes to practice and conclude by addressing the urgent need to pay specific attention to this patient population.

Rotherham NHS staff can request a copy of this article from their Library

Celebrities join forces with the NHS to encourage cancer checks

NHS England | March 2022 | Celebrities join forces with the NHS to encourage cancer checks

Famous faces have come out in support of a new, first of its kind NHS campaign aimed at tackling fears and concerns about cancer.

Further details about the campaign are available from NHS England

See also:

New campaign to combat the fear of Cancer

[NICE] Dostarlimab for previously treated advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer with high microsatellite instability or mismatch repair deficiency

NICE | March 2022 | Dostarlimab for previously treated advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer with high microsatellite instability or mismatch repair deficiency

Evidence-based recommendations on dostarlimab (Jemperli) for treating advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer with high microsatellite instability or mismatch repair deficiency in adults who have had platinum-based chemotherapy.

NICE Dostarlimab for previously treated advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer with high microsatellite instability or mismatch repair deficiency

Older women with breast cancer chose less aggressive treatment when they used a decision aid

NIHR | March 2022 | Older women with breast cancer chose less aggressive treatment when they used a decision aid

New research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) explored the impact of decision aids among women over 70 who were diagnosed with breast cancer. The women either had a consultation using the decision aid or without it (standard care). Researchers found women in the centres using the decision aids were less likely to have surgery or chemotherapy.

The women were followed for an average of 3 years. Using the decision aid had little impact on their chances of being alive at 3 years. This suggests that the decision aids were well-targeted and used with women for whom the treatment choice would make least difference to their length of life.

The study found women who used decision aids were better informed about their treatment options. There was little difference in quality of life between women who used the decision aids and those who did not. (Source: NIHR)

Full Alert is available from NIHR Older women with breast cancer chose less aggressive treatment when they used a decision aid

The Alert highlights research and the findings of a recent paper: Bridging the age gap in breast cancer: cluster randomized trial of two decision support interventions for older women with operable breast cancer on quality of life, survival, decision quality, and treatment choices 

Life-extending injection for blood cancer available on the NHS

NHS England | March 2022 | Life-extending injection for blood cancer available on the NHS

A life-extending injection for a fatal form of blood cancer will be available to around 350 patients per year in England, the NHS chief executive has announced.

The drug, which can extend the lives of patients with a recurring and incurable cancer of the bone marrow cells – known as multiple myeloma – by an average of nine months, has been given the green light for routine use by NICE after it was made available for a limited period through the Cancer Drugs Fund.

Multiple myeloma is a debilitating cancer that affects the bone marrow in several areas of the body, including the spine, skull, pelvis and ribs, causing sufferers to have weak and painful bones, unusual bleeding, fatigue and weight loss – as well as weakening their immune system, leading to recurrent infections.

Myeloma cannot be cured and treatment is usually about keeping the cancer at bay for as long as possible with the least side-effects from treatment.

This NHS treatment will be offered to patients with recurring multiple myeloma who have tried at least three other treatments will help multiple myeloma patients live longer lives whilst improving their quality of life. It also gives patients a greater chance of accessing further treatments that may help them live even longer, healthier lives (Source: NHS England).

Full details from NHS England

Data show fewer new cancer research projects were funded during the Covid-19 pandemic #Covid19RftLks

Institute of Cancer Research | March 2022 | Data show fewer new cancer research projects were funded during the Covid-19 pandemic

New figures from the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) show that fewer new cancer research projects were funded in 2020/21. This is the first time NCRI’s cancer research funding database has shown a drop in funding caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Full details are available from the Institute of Cancer Research

In the news:

The Guardian UK cancer research studies fell 32% in first year of Covid, say charities

NICE: Over 500 people a year can access a new life extending lung cancer treatment after NICE recommends its use within the Cancer Drugs Fund

 NICE | February 2022 | Over 500 people a year can access a new life extending lung cancer treatment after NICE recommends its use within the Cancer Drugs Fund

An innovative life-extending drug for treating mutation-positive locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults is being recommended by NICE as an option for use within the Cancer Drugs Fund.

Full details from  NICE