A groundbreaking new pill, capivasertib, has been approved for NHS funding in England, offering a promising breakthrough in the treatment of advanced breast cancer. By slowing disease progression and shrinking tumors, this targeted therapy presents a highly effective option for patients with hormone receptor-positive secondary breast cancer.
A new type of drug for one of the most common kinds of advanced breast cancer is now available on the NHS in England. Capivasertib, a targeted therapy, has been given the green light for NHS funding by England’s drug assessment body.
The drug shows promise in slowing down the progression of the disease and shrinking tumors in patients with hormone receptor-positive secondary breast cancer. In clinical trials, capivasertib doubled the time it took for the cancer to grow when combined with hormone therapy, from 3.6 months to 7.3 months. It also shrank tumors in 23% of patients.
Breast cancer treatment typically involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and medication.
Surgical options include mastectomy (removal of the breast) or lumpectomy (removal of the tumor).
Radiation therapy may be used to kill remaining cancer cells after 'surgery'.
Medications such as hormone therapy or chemotherapy can also be effective in treating breast cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, over 270,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the United States alone.
Clinical Trial Results and Benefits
The drug’s lead researcher, Prof Nick Turner, says that capivasertib presents a very effective option that can work for a long time – many months, and in some people, it can be years. The results have been impressive, with patients experiencing a substantial delay in chemotherapy due to the side effects.
One patient, Linda Kelly, 67, who has had breast cancer spread to her bones and chest wall, reports having ‘fantastic‘ results from the new drug capivasertib. She feels that it has given her nearly four years of extra time and allows her to live a normal life again. The drug has also given her hope for the future.
Availability and Funding
The drug is suitable for those with certain gene mutations that affect up to half of people with hormone receptor-positive secondary breast cancer. Professor Peter Johnson, clinical director for cancer at NHS England, says that it offers an additional option for some patients whose cancer has progressed despite previous hormone therapy.
However, Claire Rowney, chief executive at charity Breast Cancer Now, expresses concern about the delays in accessing the drug after its initial rejection by NICE. She calls for prompt genetic testing to ensure those eligible receive capivasertib without further delay and advocates for faster approval processes for breast cancer drugs.
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that affects the breast tissue.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, accounting for 15% of all new cancer cases.
In the United States alone, over 260,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.
The exact cause of breast cancer is still unknown, but risk factors include family history, genetics, and certain lifestyle choices.
Regular mammograms and self-exams can help detect the disease in its early stages.
