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Cancer Experts Angered By Brain Tumour Decision

Posted on: Friday, 24 February 2006, 09:00 CST

AGROUP of cancer specialists has asked the health secretary to intervene in a row over two new chemotherapy treatments for brain tumour patients.

The 36 oncologists claim in a letter to Patricia Hewitt that the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) has not looked carefully enough at evidence that shows the two treatments, known as carmustine implants and temozolomide, are effective and good value for money.

A preliminary decision by Nice has not recommended that the NHS uses the treatments, developed for patients newly-diagnosed with high-grade malignant brain tumours. A final decision is expected in late summer.

Roy Rampling, professor of neuro-oncology at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow, said: "These treatments are the biggest breakthroughs in treating brain tumours in 30 years and are standard care in many other developed countries.

"Nice is ignoring the evidence - and the needs of patients who are diagnosed with a rapidly fatal illness."

The letter calls on Ms Hewitt to ensure the treatments are available for all brain tumour patients who would benefit from them.

Professor Rampling added: "Nice simply isn't doing its job properly. Telling patients they have a malignant brain tumour is a difficult thing to do. We now might be in the invidious position of explaining that there are treatments available, but the flawed decision by Nice means their chances of getting them on the NHS are pretty much zero."

The letter coincides with a campaign by a group of brain tumour organisations, including Brain Tumour UK, the Samantha Dickson Research Trust and the International Brain Tumour Alliance, for increased access to the drugs.

Angela Dickson, a spokeswoman for the group, said the current system was "unfair and unacceptable".

She said: "We are the ones who get calls from patients asking what to do when they've been told there's no funding for drugs which can increase their life span and slow the progress of their tumours.

"The current system is unfair and unacceptable."

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "The National Institute of Clinical Excellence is an independent body and we trust them to produce clinical and cost effective guidance to the NHS based on the latest available evidence.

"Nice has yet to produce guidance to the NHS on the use of carmustine implants and temozolomide. It has recently carried out a consultation on draft guidance and we understand that Nice's appraisal committee is to meet on February 28 to consider the responses to that consultation."

Nice said it was considering the treatments. In its preliminary guidance, it did not recommend the use of the treatments except in well-designed clinical studies. But it is now carrying out a review of its initial decision following a period of consultation, and is due to issue its final guidance in August.

A spokeswoman said: "Nice follows an open and transparent process when developing guidance, which includes two rounds of consultation with organisations representing healthcare professionals, patients and carers."

Source: Herald, The; Glasgow (UK)

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