The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has updated its recommendations on the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer that has progressed after chemotherapy.

In a change from existing guidance, NICE is planning on barring access to AstraZeneca’s Iressa (gefitinib), but is still endorsing the use of Roche’s Tarceva (erlotinib) in certain circumstances, to reflect the most up-to-date evidence.

Clinical practice has changed since the original guidance on these drugs was published, it said, noting that NSCLC patients now have their tumour tested for EGFR-TK mutation status at diagnosis before receiving first-line therapy to ensure that the most appropriate treatment is selected. 

NICE has already recommended Tarceva and Iressa, both EGFR-TK inhibitors, as first-line treatments when tumours carry this mutation. But clinical specialists told the independent advisory committee that, in clinical practice, when patients have received these drugs as first-line treatment, it is unlikely that they benefit from second-line treatment with an EGFR-TK inhibitor because of reduced sensitivity to them. 

For more details, go to: http://www.pharmatimes.com/Article/14-08-07/NICE_changes_position_on_second-line_treatment_of_NSCLC.aspx