AstraZeneca and MSD’s Lynparza receives NICE positive recommendation as a cancer maintenance treatment
James Spargo | June 9, 2023 | News story | Research and Development | AstraZeneca, Cancer, MSD, NICE, Oncology, lynparza, pharma
UK-based pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has announced that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) posted a positive recommendation for its drug Lynparza (olaparib). It will be used as maintenance treatment for BRCA-mutated relapsed platinum-sensitive, high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer, following two or more courses of platinum-based chemotherapy.
Lynparza is a potent inhibitor of human poly (ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) enzymes that are targeted to block DNA repair in cancer cells harbouring a deficiency in homologous recombination repair (HRR), seen in those with mutations in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2. It has been found that the inhibition of PARP proteins with the drug leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, the stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and cancer cell death.
Lynparza is being developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and MSD as part of a global strategic oncology collaboration.
Tom Keith-Roach, president at AstraZeneca UK, said:“Olaparib was discovered and developed in the UK, which makes today’s positive recommendation for BRCA-mutated platinum-sensitive relapsed, high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer patients in the UK even more significant. AstraZeneca has a bold ambition to provide hope for patients with cancer. This requires continued investment and greater access to new innovations, and today’s news is another positive step.”
David Long, head of Oncology at MSD UK, said:“BRCA-mutated platinum-sensitive, relapsed high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer can be a devastating diagnosis for patients and their families as it often has a poor prognosis. This recommendation is an important milestone in advancing cancer care in the UK. We are optimistic that this treatment option may help improve outcomes for patients.”
James Spargo
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