NICE recommends combination treatment for advanced soft tissue sarcoma

Eli Lilly and Company has announced that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended olaratumab (Lartruvo▼) in combination with doxorubicin as a treatment for advanced soft tissue sarcoma in adults who have not had previous systemic chemotherapy and cannot have curative treatment with surgery or are unresponsive to radiotherapy.

The final appraisal determination (FAD) on the use of olaratumab from NICE was published on 9 June, which was one month earlier than anticipated. It is also one of the first medicines to be made available within the new Cancer Drugs Fund.

“Doxorubicin has been the standard first-line treatment for advanced/metastatic soft tissue sarcoma for more than 30 years,” explained Dr Robin L. Jones, consultant medical oncologist and head of the Sarcoma Unit at The Royal Marsden and team leader at The Institute of Cancer Research, London. “Olaratumab is a promising new treatment option for patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma and I’m delighted to hear it will be available to NHS patients.”

“We welcome this landmark decision by NICE to approve olaratumab for soft tissue sarcoma patients in England,” added Lindsey Bennister, chief executive, Sarcoma UK. “Patients are at the heart of Sarcoma UK and this new innovative treatment gives hope to thousands of people with sarcoma and their families This decision represents another step forwards in our efforts to transform the landscape for everyone affected by sarcoma.”