UK NICE issues second draft ‘no’ on Ninlaro to treat myeloma patients

The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued a second draft ‘no’ on Takeda’s Ninlaro (ixazomib) for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma.

Also known as multiple myeloma, relapsed or refractory myeloma is a cancer caused by abnormal cells in the bone marrow.

Ixazomib is an oral medication and a proteasome inhibitor used to treat multiple myeloma in combination with Revlimid (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone in patients who have received at least one prior treatment for their disease.

Myeloma UK acting policy and public affairs manager Shelagh McKinlay said: "This second draft ‘no’ is disappointing, but while the consultation is ongoing there is still the potential for a positive decision to be reached.

"We are glad that NICE have decided to seek further views before reaching a final decision."

Though the final decision on the use of the treatment has not yet been taken, NICE does not currently intend to recommend the myeloma therapy to be made routinely available for patients on the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales.

The decision was taken for the treatment combination of ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone, and will not affect patients who are already being treated with ixazomib, either through the Named Patient Programme (NPP) or on a clinical trial.

McKinlay added: "Triple combination treatments such as this one are becoming the international standard in myeloma treatment and patients in the UK deserve to have access to them.

"Ixazomib is not only an effective treatment option, it is the first oral treatment of its kind, offering patients much needed flexibility in how they live their lives.

"The company has requested that the treatment be considered for funding through the new Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF)."

Myeloma UK is the only organisation in the country that focuses entirely on the treatment options of myeloma.