Posted by Michael Wonder on 23 Aug 2016
Rare blood cancer therapy Oncaspar gets NICE green light
23 August 2016 - Treatment from Baxalta/Shire for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia recommended by NICE for use on the NHS.
Oncaspar (pegaspargase) is indicated for use as a component of anti-neoplastic combination therapy in newly-diagnosed children, young people and adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) who have not yet received treatment.
Concern was raised by the Appraisal Committee over the lack of comparative data against alternatve treatments, such Spectrila (asparaginase). In the end, NICE concluded the available evidence show favourable improvements in event-free survival in paediatric and adult ALL patients.
