New Treatment Option for Prostate Cancer Patients Approved

Strategic Insights -

A life-extending treatment plan for thousands of prostate cancer patients will be made available to men with metastatic prostate cancer following approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice). The new treatment, which involves a twice-daily pill, has been shown to be a third less likely to cause death in those with hormone-sensitive advanced prostate cancer. The decision provides another option for patients living with an aggressive form of the disease, allowing clinicians and patients to choose the approach best suited to their individual circumstances.

Key Takeaways:

  • A four-year trial found that men given darolutamide alongside androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) were a third less likely to die during the period.
  • The new treatment plan will be made available to around 6,000 men with metastatic prostate cancer.
  • Darolutamide, a twice-daily pill made by Bayer, works by blocking hormones fuelling cancer growth.
  • Nice approval means the treatment combination is better than using ADT alone and is as effective as other dual treatments.
  • However, Prostate Cancer UK raised concerns that some men will not be able to access the combination as too many men are already missing out on approved drugs.
  • The charity highlighted data from the recent national prostate cancer audit which showed that 47% of men with incurable forms of the disease receive the latest recommended treatments.
  • The Government must ensure the new national cancer plan tackles inequities and ensures proven treatments reach the men who need them.
  • Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said: "We are determined to ensure that effective treatments such as darolutamide, which can help extend the length and quality of people's lives, are made available fast to the people who need them."
  • Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, said: "This decision provides another welcome treatment option for patients living with an advanced and aggressive form of prostate cancer."

Statistics:

  • 6,000 men with metastatic prostate cancer will be given access to the new treatment plan.
  • 47% of men with incurable forms of the disease receive the latest recommended treatments.
  • A four-year trial found that those given darolutamide alongside ADT were a third less likely to die during the period.

Sources:

  • The Telegraph, "New treatment for prostate cancer approved" (no date)
  • Nice, "Darolutamide added to NHS treatment options for prostate cancer patients"
  • Prostate Cancer UK, "Concerns over postcode lottery of care"
  • NHS England, "New treatment option approved for men with advanced prostate cancer"