18 August 2016 - Patients in England with breast cancer and mantle cell lymphoma have been dealt a set back after NICE has issued draft guidance not supporting two medicines currently available through the Cancer Drugs Fund for routine use on the NHS.

In the case of Afinitor, the Institute ruled that the drug is effective in delaying growth and spread of breast cancer when used in combination with exemestane, new overall survival data suggest it is less clinically effective previously thought.

"The committee considered that even with the price discount in the revised patient access scheme, everolimus plus exemestane would not be cost effective," noted NICE's chief executive Sir Andrew Dillon.

When looking at ibrutinib for mantle cell lymphoma, the appraisal committee also recognised that the medicine is clinically effective but when compared with current treatment the benefits are unclear.

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