Technical / NICE update - Colorectal cancer treatment gets backing

In an updated technical appraisal (TA439), NICE is recommending cetuximab and panitumumab, within their marketing authorisations, writes Nicola Bodey. 

The guidance applies to some adults with metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with 5 fluorouracil, folinic acid and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) or 5 fluorouracil, folinic acid and irinotecan (FOLFIRI). The drugs are recommended only when the companies provide them with the discounts agreed in their patient access schemes.

The two main purposes of treatment are to shrink tumour tissue for surgical resection and to palliate.

About 34,000 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2014 (Office for National Statistics 2016). Of these, it is estimated that around 2,700 people would be eligible for treatment with either cetuximab or panitumumab in combination with either FOLFOX or FOLFIRI each year.

Following earlier appraisals, cetuximab (TA176) and panitumumab (TA240) were previously available through the cancer drugs fund (CDF) for first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, based on criteria defined in the national CDF list. Now positively recommended by NICE, cetuximab and panitumumab will be funded through routine commissioning in the first line treatment position and will no longer be available through the CDF. 

Treatment for around 2,200 people was funded through the CDF and the number of people having treatment is not estimated to change.

The list prices of cetuximab and panitumumab have a discount that is commercial in confidence. 

The discounted prices of cetuximab and panitumumab can be put into the resource impact template on the NICE website to calculate the resource impact of the guidance.

These technologies are commissioned by NHS England. Providers are NHS hospital trusts.