The NHS drugs watchdog NICE has in principle approved a kidney cancer drug which can increase survival by a year.
The NHS drugs watchdog NICE has in principle approved a kidney cancer drug which can increase survival by a year.
Sunitinib is one of the first drugs to be approved under new guidance urging a more liberal approach to treatments which only marginally extend life.
Sunitinib is one of the first drugs to be approved under new guidance urging a more liberal approach to treatments which only marginally extend life.
It was originally rejected last year for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer along with three other drugs.
It was originally rejected last year for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer along with three other drugs.
Final advice on the use of these three drugs - as well as sunitinib - will be issued for England and Wales in March.
Final advice on the use of these three drugs - as well as sunitinib - will be issued for England and Wales in March.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence said it took into account the offer of the manufacturer, Pfizer, to provide the first cycle of sunitinib free to the NHS when making its decision.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence said it took into account the offer of the manufacturer, Pfizer, to provide the first cycle of sunitinib free to the NHS when making its decision.
The average daily cost of sunitinib is about £75, with an average six-week cycle costing in excess of £3,000.
The average daily cost of sunitinib is about £75, with an average six-week cycle costing in excess of £3,000.
Early last month, NICE agreed to extend the threshold at which drugs for terminally ill patients are deemed cost-effective.
Early last month, NICE agreed to extend the threshold at which drugs for terminally ill patients are deemed cost-effective.
Changing minds
Changing minds
Last year renal cancer experts criticised draft proposals to deny four treatments to patients with advanced kidney cancer, because they only extended life by a matter of months. This is a victory for kidney cancer patients and is long overdue Rachel RowsonMacmillan Cancer Support
Last year renal cancer experts criticised draft proposals to deny four treatments to patients with advanced kidney cancer, because they only extended life by a matter of months. This is a victory for kidney cancer patients and is long overdue Rachel RowsonMacmillan Cancer Support
NICE said that while Avastin (bevacizumab), Nexavar (sorafenib), Sutent (sunitinib) and Torisel (temsirolimus) provided "significant gains" in survival, they did not meet cost effectiveness criteria.
NICE said that while Avastin (bevacizumab), Nexavar (sorafenib), Sutent (sunitinib) and Torisel (temsirolimus) provided "significant gains" in survival, they did not meet cost effectiveness criteria.
But doctors said it left them with few options to treat the 1,700 people diagnosed every year with the advanced form of the disease.
But doctors said it left them with few options to treat the 1,700 people diagnosed every year with the advanced form of the disease.
The approval of sunitinib has been welcomed by doctors, although they stress there are some patients who are not suited to the drug and would do better on one of the other three.
The approval of sunitinib has been welcomed by doctors, although they stress there are some patients who are not suited to the drug and would do better on one of the other three.
"It's not for everyone, and particularly those with cardiovascular problems," said Professor Tim Eisen, a kidney cancer specialist at the University of Cambridge.
"It's not for everyone, and particularly those with cardiovascular problems," said Professor Tim Eisen, a kidney cancer specialist at the University of Cambridge.
"But this is a very welcome step."
"But this is a very welcome step."
Rachel Rowson, policy manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "This is a victory for kidney cancer patients and is long overdue.
Rachel Rowson, policy manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "This is a victory for kidney cancer patients and is long overdue.
"This decision recognises the need to fund drugs that improve quality of life for patients and we applaud Nice for making Sutent available to all who need it.
"This decision recognises the need to fund drugs that improve quality of life for patients and we applaud Nice for making Sutent available to all who need it.
"Macmillan will continue to campaign to ensure the other three drugs for kidney cancer are also approved for use on the NHS."
"Macmillan will continue to campaign to ensure the other three drugs for kidney cancer are also approved for use on the NHS."
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