A targeted new drug for a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer will be fast-tracked to eligible patients in a matter of weeks as NHS England brokered a deal to access Mobocertinib. Patients in England will be the first in Europe to access the only precision drug available to those with a mutation-driven, advanced form of lung cancer and who have already received chemotherapy.
Newly approved by the MHRA, the NHS will begin to offer the new drug to eligible lung cancer patients within weeks, following the latest early access agreement reached by NHS England.
The treatment will be made available to around 100 eligible patients a year with the rare form of cancer that cannot be removed by surgery. Taken as a tablet, Mobocertinib specifically targets the mutation to slow the growth of cancer cells, with manageable side effects. Trials show that some patients who have taken the tablet have lived for two years after being treated with the breakthrough drug; This is significantly longer than expected for patients with this type of lung cancer.
NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis said, “It is fantastic news that patients in England with this extremely rare and aggressive form of lung cancer will be the first in Europe to receive this game-changing treatment thanks to another deal struck by the NHS.”
He added, “From life-changing drugs for blood cancer to new treatments for lung cancer, this is the latest in a long list of deals we have struck to provide the latest cutting-edge cancer treatments for patients - at a price that is affordable for the taxpayer. The NHS has continued to prioritise cancer care throughout the pandemic and I urge anyone with concerns, to come forward and get checked.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said, “NHS patients are the first in Europe to benefit from this cutting-edge new treatment for lung cancer. Mobocertinib is a breakthrough drug that will be a lifeline for those with this rare form of illness. Our early access agreement through Project Orbis, an international partnership, has allowed us to make this drug available on an accelerated timescale - a fantastic example of post-Brexit global collaboration ensuring UK patients receive the best possible care and treatment for cancer.”
