NICE approves new treatment that provides more options for advanced bowel cancer patients
Thursday 22 December 2022
A new treatment for bowel cancer, which can slow the progression of the disease and improve overall survival for patients with advanced bowel cancer has been approved by NICE (the National Institute for Clinical Excellence) for patients in England and Wales.
The new treatment, regorafenib (also known as Stivarga) has been shown in trials to slow down the growth and spread of cancer cells and cut off the blood supply that keeps cancer growing. It'll be available on the NHS in England and Wales for adults with advanced bowel cancer – also known as stage 4 or metastatic bowel cancer – who have been previously treated with, or are not considered suitable for other NHS treatment. It'll be available within three months of today’s announcement.
Genevieve Edwards, Chief Executive at Bowel Cancer UK, said: "This treatment has the potential to improve quality of life and even prolong the lives of thousands of people in England and Wales living with stage 4 bowel cancer.
"Advanced bowel cancer is a devastating disease that affects all aspect of daily life. Sadly, treatment options for people diagnosed with late stage disease are limited, so it's wonderful to have a new drug available which could offer hope when other treatment avenues have been exhausted, giving people the chance of more time with family and loved ones.
"Making regorafenib available to patients on the NHS is another step in the right direction towards providing people affected by bowel cancer access to the best treatment and care. It's so important that patients have access to the full range of treatment that is right for them. We're proud that our community were able to contribute to the process by sharing their experiences of receiving treatment for advanced bowel cancer."
Richard Wilson, Professor of Gastrointestinal Oncology, University of Glasgow and Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and Dr Richard Adams, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Cardiff University and Velindre Cancer Centre said: "Oncologists treating people with advanced bowel cancer welcome this positive decision by NICE. Regorafenib increases the range of therapies available for our patients, with the potential to provide a better quality of life for longer durations. We hope to see this become available to patients across all four UK devolved nations in the near future."
We contributed to the NICE approval process for regorafenib, gathering the voices of nearly 100 patients and carers who shared their experience of being treated for, or caring for someone with, advanced bowel cancer.
Around 10,000 people in the UK are diagnosed at the latest stage of the disease each year. Survival rates for patients with stage 4 bowel cancer are poor, but access to surgery and drugs can help to extend life.
- Read more about advanced bowel cancer, including treatment, wellbeing and real life stories
- Learn more about targeted therapies
