National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends Darzalex® (daratumumab) with bortezomib and dexamethasone for routine use on the NHS as treatment for multiple myeloma

pharmafile | April 24, 2023 | News story | Business Services  

High Wycombe, 24 April 2023 – The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson are pleased to announce that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Darzalex® (daratumumab) with bortezomib and dexamethasone (DVd) for routine use on the NHS.[1] The therapy is recommended for treating multiple myeloma in adults who have had just one previous line of treatment that included lenalidomide, or when lenalidomide is unsuitable as a second treatment.1

 

The positive Final Draft Guidance (FDG) follows approximately four years of continued use of DVd in England for the treatment of patients with relapsed multiple myeloma, following the initial recommended approval of the biologic therapy for use through the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) in 2019.[2] NICE’s decision to recommend DVd is based on data from the Phase III CASTOR study, which constituted the primary source of clinical effectiveness evidence (median follow-up of 72.6 months).1 These data were supplemented with real-world evidence which is routinely collected through the Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy dataset (SACT), to inform absolute survival outcomes expected in clinical practice in England.1

 

Amanda Cunnington, Senior Director of Patient Access, Janssen-Cilag Limited said: “Today’s decision to recommend daratumumab in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for routine use on the NHS is welcome news. This brings security to patients and clinicians that access to this significant advancement in the multiple myeloma treatment pathway in England will be maintained.”  

 

Although treatable, multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer which becomes more resistant to treatment with each relapse – meaning access to a range of treatment options is needed.1,[3] Routine commissioning of DVd will bring patients an effective and generally well-tolerated option.1,[4]

 

Commenting on the recommendation, Dr Sophie Castell, chief executive at Myeloma UK said: “DVd is a game-changer for myeloma patients and we’re delighted by NICE’s decision to make it permanently available to patients on the NHS.

 

“Over the past four years, many patients have benefitted from DVd through the Cancer Drugs Fund with some really promising results. The combination has been shown to increase remission times by more than two years on average, giving patients whose cancer has sadly returned after their initial round of treatment a chance to enjoy more precious time with their loved ones and a semblance of normality.

 

“We know that, over time, people become resistant to specific drugs, so it is absolutely crucial to constantly develop new treatment options and to add yet more weapons to patients’ armoury so they get to live a full life for as long as possible.”

#ENDS#

 

 


[1] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Final Draft Guidance. Daratumumab with bortezomib and dexamethasone for previously treated multiple myeloma. April 2023.

[2] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Technology appraisal guidance. Daratumumab with bortezomib and dexamethasone for previously treated multiple myeloma. April 2019. Available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta573. Last accessed April 2023.

[3] Myeloma UK. What is myeloma? Available at https://www.myeloma.org.uk/understanding-myeloma/what-is-myeloma. Last accessed April 2023.

[4] Sonneveld, P. Overall Survival With Daratumumab, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone in Previously Treated Multiple Myeloma (CASTOR): A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase III Trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2023;41:8,1600-1609.

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