'Life-changing' cancer drug approved for NHS use

The NHS has approved the use of a “life-changing” drug which could help treat patients with prostate or breast cancer.

Olaparib will be available through NHS England for men with advanced prostate cancer and women with HER2-negative early breast cancer who are at risk of the disease returning.

Given as a tablet, olaparib is a type of targeted drug called a Parp inhibitor and can prevent cancer cells from repairing.

It targets cancers with BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutations, stopping cancer cells from being able to repair their DNA, which causes the cancerous cells to die.

The decision for it to be available on the NHS has been overwhelmingly welcomed, garnering praise from cancer charities and scientists.

Manufactured by pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca, clinical trials have shown that olaparib, also known as Lynparza, can extend advanced prostate cancer patients’ lives by “an average of six months”, according to NHS England.

The targeted therapy has also been shown to lessen the risk of the BRCA-mutant, HER2-negative early breast cancer from returning within four years by nearly a third.

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Around 500 men with advanced prostate cancer and some 300 women with HER2-negative early breast cancer are estimated to be eligible for the new drug each year in England.

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “Olaparib could have a huge impact on patients with a range of cancer types, giving many a better chance of survival while offering those with advanced forms of the disease precious extra months to live.”

‘Landmark moment’

Meanwhile, experts at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) described the move as “life-changing”, adding the treatment will give patients the chance to live longer and healthier lives.

Johann De Bono, professor in experimental cancer medicine at the ICR, said: “Olaparib is an important example of how understanding the underlying genetics of patients, and their tumours’ genomics, can be used to design highly targeted precision medicines.

“For patients with advanced prostate cancer and mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2, these recommendations will be life-changing.”

Prostate Cancer UK described the decision as a “landmark moment” for prostate cancer treatment.

Chiara De Biase, director of support and influencing at Prostate Cancer UK, added: “This is the first targeted treatment of its kind to be approved for the disease and it finally moves us away from the old ‘one size fits all’ approach to prostate cancer treatment.

“We’re proud of the role we played in developing this exciting drug, which stands to extend the lives of hundreds of men each year.”

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Breast Cancer Now said it was an “agonising” wait to receive a decision on whether the drug would be approved for use as there was a provisional rejection last November.

Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, said: “Some people with high-risk, HER2 negative primary breast cancer with an altered BRCA gene – often known as the ‘Jolie gene’, may see their cancer return following treatment.

“Crucially, olaparib can reduce the risk of people’s cancer returning or progressing to incurable secondary breast cancer and stop people dying from this devastating disease.”

Health Minister Helen Whately added: “We are committed to providing world-class cancer care to patients and are always working together with clinicians to find new, cutting-edge treatments.

“Cutting waiting lists is one of the prime minister’s five priorities and we are driving forward progress with new one stop shops that offer a range of checks, tests and scans closer to home, meaning patients are receiving the cancer treatment they need as soon as possible.”

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