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NICE thumbs up GlaxoSmithKline's Tafinlar for BRAF V600 mutation-positive melanoma
22 October 2014 - 22 October 2014 - The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for England and Wales yesterday published final guidance recommending UK GlaxoSmithKline's (LON:GSK) Tafinlar (dabrafenib) as an option therapy of unresectable or metastatic BRAF V600 mutation-positive melanoma.

Tafinlar is a biological therapy that causes cancer cells with the BRAF V600 mutation to die which can delay or stop cancer growth. Apart from this drug, NICE has previously recommended vemurafenib and ipilimumab as therapies for this skin cancer type, Prof. Carole Longson, director of NICE centre for health technology evaluation, noted.

NICE commented that findings filed by GlaxoSmithKline indicated that dabrafenib works just as well as vemurafenib which also treats melanoma with the BRAF V600 mutation. In addition, agents like dabrafenib are believed to provide very fast positive effects for patients, even in people who are very unwell or bed-ridden. Moreover, in some cases, it has enabled people to resume everyday activities.

Furthermore, the institute recommends dabrafenib only if the firm provides the drug to the NHS with a discount on the list price.

 

 
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