The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued final draft guidance recommending Celgene’s Revlimid (lenalidomide) to treat myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
MDS are a group of bone marrow disorders, which are characterised by the underproduction of one or more types of blood cells due to dysfunction of the marrow.
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In the draft guidance, NICE recommends the use of lenalidomide to treat people with a specific type of MDS that is characterised by a chromosomal abnormality, called an isolated deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality.
NICE chief executive Sir Andrew Dillon said: "The committee heard from clinical experts that lenalidomide is an effective therapy. Celgene – who market lenalidomide – worked with us to provide enough evidence to make it possible for us to recommend it for this group of people.
"Celgene provided a revised analyses and further information on their proposal for a reduction in the cost of the drug to the NHS (patient access scheme)."
The guidance was based on the results of MDS-004, the largest global trial of MDS del(5q) patients conducted to date, according to Celgene.
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By GlobalDataLenalidomide has marketing authorisation to treat transfusion-dependent anaemia, caused by low or intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes associated with an isolated deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality, when other therapeutic options are insufficient or inadequate.
NICE added that lenalidomide is available in 21-day packs of 10mg and 5mg capsules, at net prices of £3780 and £3570 respectively.
Image: Therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome. Photo: courtesy of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP).
