January 2019
Nivolumab in addition to temozolomide and radiotherapy for MGMT-methylated glioblastoma in newly diagnosed adults – first line
Nivolumab is a type of immunotherapy that is currently licensed in the UK for the treatment of several types of advanced cancers such as melanoma, non‐small cell lung cancer, and kidney cancer. It blocks a protein called programmed death-1 (PD-1), which is found on the surface of a type of immune cells called T-cells. Blocking PD-1 stimulates the T-cells to kill the cancer cells. Temozolomide in combination with radiotherapy is currently licensed in the UK for newly diagnosed glioblastoma in adults. The addition of nivolumab to temozolomide and radiotherapy will potentially offer an additional first line treatment option for adult patients who are newly diagnosed MGMT-methylated glioblastoma.
January 2019
Tabelecleucel for Epstein-Barr Virus-associated lymphoproliferative disease following solid organ transplant
Tabelecleucel is in clinical development for people with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) following solid organ transplant, where treatment with rituximab or rituximab and chemotherapy has not been successful. The EBV virus is present in around 90% of people, but people who have had an organ transplant need to take medicine that suppresses their immune system. This means that virus-infected lymphoid cells can grow more easily. The rapid increase in these lymphoid cells can result in lymphoma, a type of cancer. EBV-PTLD can be treated by reducing the immunosuppressive medicines, but may also need treatment with rituximab with or without chemotherapy.
January 2019
Encorafenib in combination with binimetinib and cetuximab for BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer
Encorafenib in combination with binimetinib and cetuximab is one of the first regimens to target the BRAF V600E-mutation in colorectal cancer. When this mutation is present, it switches on another protein called MEK, which stimulates cell division and leads to uncontrolled cell growth. Encorafenib and binimetinib target different parts of an important signalling pathway in tumour cells with the mutation, and slows down their growth and communication. It is also one of the first combinations to simultaneously target the BRAF and MEK pathways, and encorafenib and binimetinib have the advantage of oral administration.
January 2019
Enzalutamide in addition to androgen deprivation therapy for treating metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer
Enzalutamide is an oral capsule that works by blocking the androgen receptor to modify the effects of androgens on the prostate, stopping the growth of the cancer cells. Enzalutamide in addition to ADT may offer an alternative option for people that cannot receive or do not respond to chemotherapy plus ADT. If licensed, enzalutamide in addition to ADT will increase the treatment options available for patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.