NICE has issued final draft guidance proposing to recommend imatinib mesylate, also known as Glivec and made by Novartis, for up to three years for people who have had a gastro-intestinal stromal tumour (GIST) removed and who are at high risk of the cancer recurring.

GISTs are found in the digestive system, most commonly in the stomach and small bowel. Some are benign and cause few symptoms. If they become cancerous and are confined to one area, they can often be removed surgically.

This appraisal reviews previous guidance (NICE technology appraisal guidance 196) issued to the NHS in 2010. At that time, NICE did not recommend imatinib but further clinical trial evidence has become available since then, which addresses several uncertainties. This is why the current final draft guidance now recommends imatinib after surgery, as adjuvant therapy, for up to 3 years for adults who are at high risk of relapse.

Commenting on the draft guidance, Professor Carole Longson, Health Technology Evaluation Centre Director at NICE, said: “When the original guidance was published, the committee felt there wasn’t enough evidence about key aspects of the clinical effectiveness of imatinib. However, the results from ongoing trials have now been published. There is clear evidence that giving imatinib after surgery can delay the recurrence of GIST and in some cases increase survival.”

For more details, go to: https://www.nice.org.uk/news/press-and-media/nice-reviews-guidance-on-imatinib-for-digestive-system-tumours-2