New drugs to treat cancer and brain tumours approved for use in Scotland

New drugs to treat brain tumours and cancer are among those which have been approved for routine use on the NHS in Scotland.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted dabrafenib, known by the brand name Finlee, for use in combination with trametinib (Spexotras), for treating children aged one and older with a type of brain tumour called a glioma.

Ivosidenib (Tibsovo) was accepted for treating adults with advanced cholangiocarcinoma, a cancer of the bile ducts, in patients with a specific genetic mutation who have received at least one previous treatment.

Teclistamab (Tecvayli) was accepted for treating adults with advanced myeloma, a form of cancer that affects bone marrow, who have had at least three previous treatments.

Dabrafenib together with trametinib may give children more time without their brain tumour growing and improve their quality of life

Elranatamab (Elrexfio) was accepted on an interim basis for the same disease, and will be available while further evidence is gathered.

SMC chair, Dr Scott Muir, said: “The committee is pleased to be able to accept these new medicines for use by NHS Scotland.

“We heard powerful testimony from affected families about the devastating impact that the diagnosis of a glioma brain tumour has on children and their families.

“Dabrafenib together with trametinib may give children more time without their brain tumour growing and improve their quality of life.

“Ivosidenib offers the first personalised treatment for cholangiocarcinoma that can be taken at home, which we know will be welcomed by patients and their families.

“Teclistamab may be a useful additional treatment option for some patients with advanced myeloma who have already received at least three previous treatments.

“Elranatamab, for advanced myeloma, was accepted on an interim basis.

“The committee look forward to reviewing further clinical evidence, to ensure that this treatment offers useful clinical benefits to patients and good value for NHS Scotland.”

According to the latest Scottish figures from 2017-2019, about 475 new cases of myeloma are diagnosed each year, and the disease causes more than 250 deaths annually.

Myeloma is often labelled multiple myeloma as there is a strong chance it will return, even after successful treatment.

We’re absolutely delighted that elranatamab is accepted in Scotland and could provide a new treatment option for people who have already received multiple lines of therapy

Scott Purdon, head of patient advocacy at charity Myeloma UK, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that elranatamab is accepted in Scotland and could provide a new treatment option for people who have already received multiple lines of therapy.

“Until we have a cure, it is absolutely vital that all myeloma patients are given as many options to tackle their cancer as possible – no matter where they are on their treatment journey.”

He also welcomed the acceptance of teclistamab which he said “could be a lifeline for people who are close to running out of treatment options”.

Dr Ruhe Chowdhury, oncology medical director at Pfizer UK, which manufactures elranatamab, said: “As a company that is committed to improving patients’ lives, we are delighted that the SMC has accepted elranatamab for use within NHS Scotland.

“Making the treatment available in this way will ensure timely access for eligible patients whose options are dwindling as their disease progresses and becomes refractory to successive therapies.”