New treatment brings ‘life-changing hope’ for breast cancer patients in Scotland

Four new treatments have been approved for use in Scotland

A breast cancer charity has welcomed the approval of a new treatment, saying it will give “life-changing hope” to patients.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan is among four different cancer treatments approved for use on the NHS in Scotland in the latest round of decisions from the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC).

Trastuzumab deruxtecan, also known as Enhertu, is used to treat adults with a type of breast cancer called HER2-low and is the first medicine to be licensed for this type of breast cancer, the SMC said.

The consortium accepted seven medicines for conditions including breast, skin, lung and prostate cancers as well as for psoriasis, arthritis and Pompe disease, a rare genetic disorder.

Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, said: “This decision ushers in an exciting new era of treatment for people with HER2-low incurable secondary breast cancer in Scotland – providing for the first time an effective HER2-targeted treatment for this group of patients.

“Crucially, for eligible patients trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) can both slow the spread of the cancer and increase survival compared to chemotherapy, bringing people the life-changing hope of more time to live and do the things that matter most to them.”

Patricia Snow, 66, from the Highlands, was diagnosed with HER2-low secondary breast cancer six years ago, in December 2017.

She said: “I’m absolutely thrilled by today’s news. I have a two-year-old grandson and my hope is that I live long enough for him to remember his granny.

“A secondary breast cancer diagnosis is devastating and life changing. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, good days, bad days and even worse days.

“Trastuzumab deruxtecan is a treatment that could give people like me more time to spend with my family and friends.

“The possibility of living longer and enjoying life. Any new treatment gives us hope for a future. Hope that one day this disease could be chronic and not terminal, as without hope things can seem bleak.”

Nivolumab, also known as Opdivo, was accepted for the treatment of some patients with a type of lung cancer. Nivolumab is given before surgery to shrink the tumour.

Degarelix injection, also known as Firmagon, was accepted for treating adults with prostate cancer.

Cemiplimab, also known as Libtayo, was accepted for treating adults with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), a type of skin cancer.

The medicine was accepted on an interim basis in January 2020 as there were uncertainties in the evidence and following reassessment.

It has now been accepted by the SMC for routine use.

SMC chairman Dr Scott Muir said: “The committee is pleased to be able to accept seven new medicines for a variety of conditions, including breast, skin, lung and prostate cancers.

“The additional evidence for cemiplimab, provided by the company and the lived experience shared via the Patient and Clinician Engagement (Pace) meeting, reassured the committee that cemiplimab is a valuable treatment for patients.

“Trastuzumab deruxtecan is more effective than current treatments and could increase the amount of time people will be able to spend with loved ones. We know how important this is to people with breast cancer and their families.”

The SMC has also accepted deucravacitinib, also called Sotyktu, for treating adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, the most common form of psoriasis.

Bimekizumab (Bimzelx) was accepted for treating adults with axial spondyloarthritis, a form of inflammatory arthritis that mainly affects the spine.

And cipaglucosidase alfa (Pombiliti) was accepted for treating adults with late-onset Pompe disease, a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive weakness to the heart and skeletal muscle.

Laura Stevenson, deputy chief executive at the Psoriasis Association, said: “The news that deucravacitinib will be available for eligible patients in Scotland will be welcomed by the psoriasis community, who now have an additional treatment option available.”