NICE approves new drug for advanced bowel cancer patients in England and Wales

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has today published final draft guidance recommending bevacizumab with chemotherapy for people with advanced bowel cancer. 

It means that more than 7,000 patients in England and Wales will now be able to access to a life-extending biosimilar treatment for advanced bowel cancer.  

This is the first time NICE has been able to recommend bevacizumab for bowel cancer, following the availability of lower-cost biosimilar versions of the medicine.  

How the treatment works  

Bevacizumab – also known by the brand name Avastin – is a targeted treatment that prevents tumours from growing. It is given as an infusion once every two or three weeks alongside chemotherapy.  

Clinical trial evidence shows that when bevacizumab is added to chemotherapy, it extends the time before cancer progresses and increases overall survival compared with chemotherapy alone:  

• People receiving bevacizumab plus chemotherapy lived without their cancer worsening for 9.4 months on average, compared to 8 months for those having chemotherapy only.  

• Overall survival was 21.3 months compared to 19.9 months for chemotherapy alone.  

The treatment is available as both a first and second-line option when targeted treatments or immunotherapy are unsuitable, offering a new choice for patients who would otherwise only receive chemotherapy.  

NICE previously could not recommend bevacizumab for bowel cancer because the branded version of the medicine did not represent value for money for the NHS. However, the availability of more affordable biosimilar versions enabled NICE to conduct a new cost-effectiveness review.  

Genevieve Edwards, Chief Executive at Bowel Cancer UK, says: “We’re delighted that NICE has approved bevacizumab for first- and second-line treatment in combination with chemotherapy for advanced bowel cancer patients in England and Wales, following a similar announcement by the National Cancer Medicines Advisory Group for patients in Scotland.  

 “This decision expands treatment options and could offer patients precious extra time with their loved ones. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to this appraisal by sharing their personal experiences. Their voices have been vital in helping to shape this welcome decision.” 

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