Responding to the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) decision, Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, said:
“It’s absolutely fantastic that talazoparib has finally been approved for use on the NHS in England – a truly significant moment as it becomes the first targeted treatment available specifically for certain people with locally advanced or secondary breast cancer who’ve inherited an altered BRCA gene.*
“Vitally, today’s decision brings these patients hope of precious extra time before their disease progresses, compared with chemotherapy, to continue doing what matters most to them. Furthermore, taken as a daily tablet, this treatment means fewer hospital visits than intravenous chemotherapy requires, freeing up valuable time for both patients and overstretched clinics. With the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) now assessing talazoparib, we hope the opportunity will be seized to make it available to everyone who needs it across the UK.**
“While today’s news is extremely welcome, women living with HER2-low secondary breast cancer are currently enduring an agonising wait to find out if they’ll be able to access potentially life-extending treatment trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) in time. It’s a matter of urgency that Daiichi Sankyo and NHS England agree a deal that makes this crucial treatment available on the NHS in England.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor
NICE estimate the eligible population to be around 300.
*Talazoparib (Talzenna) is a type of PARP inhibitor and is licensed for the treatment of patients with germline BRCA1/2 mutations, who have HER2-negative locally advanced or secondary (metastatic) breast cancer. Patients should have been previously treated with an anthracycline or a taxane, or both, unless these treatments are not suitable and endocrine therapy if they have hormone receptor positive breast cancer, unless this is not suitable.
Often known as the ‘Jolie’ gene, around 5-10% of women with breast cancer carry an inherited altered gene - of which the BRCA 1 and 2 genes are the most common.
** Wales and Northern Ireland normally follow NICE decisions.
Breast Cancer Now-funded researchers contributed to the discovery of a targeted use for PARP inhibitors. The charity receives a share of royalties from the Institute of Cancer Research for sales of PARP inhibitor drugs being used in a targeted way to treat cancers with changes in BRCA genes, or other similar defects which mean that cancer cells are unable to properly repair their DNA. Income raised through the royalties/payments for PARP inhibitor drugs is invested back into the charity, so that Breast Cancer Now can continue to fund world-class research and life-changing support for everyone affected by breast cancer.