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Charity dismayed at kidney cancer drug decision

07/08/2008

A leading cancer charity has expressed its disappointment at a preliminary decision to reject four kidney cancer drugs for use within the NHS.

Cancer Research UK said if the decision made by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) stands then it "will be very frustrating for cancer patients and their clinicians".

It said that the four drugs - bevacizumab, sorafenib, sunitinib and temsirolimus – could extend the lives of patients with kidney cancer.

But following a preliminary review, Nice said that although these drugs are clinically effective, they are not cost effective.

Cancer Research UK said the decision raises questions about how Nice decides which drugs to recommend for use.

"It is often difficult to get unequivocal research data in rarer cancers, such as metastatic kidney cancer, which have a small patient population," explained Professor Peter Johnson, Cancer Research UK's chief clinician.

"Although we understand that Nice often has to make difficult decisions, in this case there is a clear separation between what Nice finds to be valuable treatment, and clinical and patient opinion. Action is needed to bring these two positions closer together."

Harpal Kumar, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, added: "Possible solutions include looking at the way that pharmaceutical companies are charging the NHS for drugs, and whether appropriate allowances are being made by Nice to compensate for the lack of large scale trials in these areas.

"We also need to ensure that further results are sought and that larger trials, in addition to the nine studies supported by Cancer Research UK, are carried out."