People with lung cancer whose tumours test positive for a mutation will now have access to a third targeted treatment. NICE has given the go-ahead for afatinib (also known as Giotrif and made by Boehringer Ingelheim) to be paid for by the NHS.

Afatinib is a targeted treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer known as an EGFR-TK inhibitor. It works by blocking the signal pathways, helping to slow the growth and spread of tumours. Non-small-cell lung cancer is now tested for the EGFR-TK mutation at diagnosis before people receive their first therapy to ensure that the most appropriate treatment is selected.

People who have non-small-cell lung cancer which is locally advanced or has spread to other parts of the body, and whose tumours test positive for the EGFR-TK mutation, will now be able to receive afatinib on the NHS.

For more details, go to: http://www.nice.org.uk/newsroom/pressreleases/NICERecommendsAnotherNewTreatmentForLungCancer.jsp