Roche’s Herceptin NICE ruling welcomed by cancer groups

NICE’s decision to publish draft guidance allowing the use of Roche’s Herceptin for the treatment of early-stage HER-2 positive breast cancer has been welcomed by patient groups. The guidance was published two weeks after being given approval by regulatory authorities.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer said that a year of uncertainty and the “post code lottery” was coming to an end. Jeremy Hughes, the organisation’s chief executive, remarked: “Today’s announcement should ensure that all women for whom Herceptin is an appropriate treatment will receive it.”

Cancer Research UK also welcomed the news but it added that Herceptin should not necessarily be seen as a miracle cure. The research charity’s head of clinical trials, Kate Law, stated: “We must remember that Herceptin is only suitable in about one in five cases of breast cancer. So it’s essential not to create a climate of false hope for women, where Herceptin is seen as a miracle cure suitable for everyone with breast cancer.”

Ms Law added that the guidance had been published in “record time” and hoped that NICE would be able to apply this efficiency to other drugs.

NICE chief executive commented Andrew Dillon commented: “These proposals are very good news for women with HER2 positive breast cancer.

“Herceptin, for these women is clinically and cost effective in the early stage of the disease and we look forward to being able to issue final guidance, subject to any appeal against our recommendations, in a few weeks time.”

Final guidance is expected to be issued during the beginning of July 2006.

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