A PILL which is taken twice a day for the most common type of advanced breast cancer has been approved on the NHS in what scientists say is a “landmark moment”.
Up to 3,000 women every year could benefit from oral medication capivasertib for hormone receptor (HR)-positive HER2-negative – specifically if the cancer has certain genetic mutations and has spread.
The drug, which is also known as Truqap and made by , works by blocking the action of an abnormal protein molecule AKT that causes cells to multiply.
It therefore helps to slow or stop the spread of cancer cells.
Results from a clinical trial showed capivasertib, plus hormone therapy fulvestrant, increased the time before the cancer got worse by around 4.2 months compared with a placebo plus fulvestrant – from 3.1 months to 7.3 months.
The new drug is suitable for patients' tumours with mutations or alterations in the PIK3CA, AKT1 or PTEN genes, which are found in approximately half of patients with HR-positive breast cancer.
Professor Nicholas Turner, from the ICR and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, led a major trial into the drug.
He said: “This positive Nice (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) recommendation means that thousands of NHS patients with advanced breast cancer with these specific biomarkers can now receive this innovative targeted treatment to keep their cancer from progressing for longer.
“It's an immensely rewarding moment to see this drug provide patients with a treatment option and precious extra time with their families.
“It is now crucial that advanced breast cancer patients have their cancer tested to identify those who could benefit from this capivasertib combination.”
Professor Kristian Helin, chief executive of the ICR, said: “This announcement is a triumph that will improve treatment for these patients with the most common type of .
“Around half of patients with this kind of breast cancer have mutations in one or more of the genes, and for these patients capivasertib can halt disease progression.
“I'm delighted that access to the drug is being expanded to NHS patients in and who are in desperate need of better options.”
Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, welcomed the approval but said an initial rejection by Nice over uncertainties in the evidence had led to delays.
“This happens too often and urgent action must be taken to ensure the quick approval of breast cancer drugs so they can be made available promptly to those who need them,” she said.
“NHS England must now put in place prompt genetic testing to ensure those eligible receive capivasertib without further delay.
“The Scottish Medicines Consortium must also consider this treatment at pace now, so that we see it made available to all who need it across the UK.”
Spotting signs of breast cancer
Spotting signs of cancer early significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival chances.
The NHS says symptoms of breast cancer in women may include:
- a , or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit
- a change in the skin of your breast, such as dimpling (may look like orange peel) or redness (may be harder to see on black or brown skin)
- a change in size or shape of one or both breasts
- (if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding), which may have blood in it
- a change in the shape or look of your nipple, such as it turning inwards (inverted nipple) or a rash on it (may look like eczema)
- pain in your breast or armpit which does not go away –breast painthat comes and goes is usually not a symptom of breast cancer
Symptoms of breast cancer in men may include:
- a lump or swelling in your chest or armpit
- liquid leaking from your nipples (nipple discharge), which may have blood in it
- changes in the size or shape of either side of your chest
- sores or ulcers on your chest
- a change in the shape or look of your nipple, such as it turning inwards (inverted nipple) or a rash on it (may look like eczema)
Carrying out for symptoms is advised. Find out how below…
