Hello, could someone clarify for me whether or not Glivec/Imatinib is funded by the Cancer Drugs Fund. If not, does being able to get it depend on which area of the UK one lives in or can one be treated with it in all areas of the UK ? I assumed it was on the Cancer Drugs Fund list but when I looked for it I could not find Imatinib other than use for the treatment of colorectal tumours. Thanks. Louise
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Glivec/Imatinib
Louise,
Both imatinib (Glivec) and nilotinib (Tasigna) are 1st line TKI treatments for CML in England, Scotland and Wales. NICE approved both for use by the NHS for chronic phase CML.
The Cancer Drugs Fund is for cancer drugs that have either been refused a recommendation from NICE (on cost and/or efficacy grounds) or have not yet been through a NICE appraisal (ponatinib).
In the case of ponatinib it is now approved for NHS use in Wales.
Currently that means that dasatinib and bosutinib are available for second, third or fourth line use - after imatinib or nilotinib in 1st line and has been shown either not to be clinically effective or has unacceptable levels of adverse effects (intolerance).
You might like to read the previous discussions (in red) between John and David about TKIs availability via the CDF and an outline of the NICE appraisal system.
Imatinib has been approved for 1st line treatment via the NHS for many years, nilotinib for around 3 or 4 years. Both drugs should be available for 1st line use in either chronic or accelerated phase no matter where you live in the UK - both Wales and Scotland have agreed with the NICE recommendation of both drugs.
If you need access to one of the other 3 TKIs your doctor can apply to the CDF as long as you meet the criteria- ie. have already been treated with one of the TKIs approved for 1st line and are in chronic or accelerated phase- in the case of ponatinib there you have the T315i mutation.
I hope that clarifies things for you- if not then please ask for further advice.
Sandy