NICE update: relapsed multiple myeloma treatment

As NICE celebrates its 20th anniversary, April saw the publication of five technology appraisals, bringing the cumulative total of technology appraisals published to 577.

TA573 recommends daratumumab with bortezomib and dexamethasone for use within the cancer drugs fund (CDF) as an option for treating relapsed multiple myeloma in people who have had one previous treatment. It is estimated that around 2,700 people per year with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy are eligible for treatment. Costs for this technology will be funded from the CDF.

TA574 and TA575 recommend two further technologies (certolizumab pegol and tildrakizumab respectively) for treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Around 17,500 people are thought to be eligible for treatment with these drugs. Costs associated with these two technologies are not expected to be significant.

TA577 recommends brentuximab vedotin as an option for treating CD30-positive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) after at least one systemic therapy in adults. It is estimated that 90 people with CTCL are eligible for treatment with brentuximab vedotin and that 80 people will have this technology from year 2020/21 onwards once uptake has reached 90%.

Four guidelines were also published in April. Of these, only one is expected to lead to significant costs or savings as a result of implementation. NG123 Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women: management recommends offering an annual review for women using absorbent containment products. This could potentially lead to a significant resource impact and a template has been published to help organisations assess the potential resource impact at a local level.

Gary Shield is resource impact assessment manager at NICE