A cancer specialist at Dundee University has hailed the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) approval of a wonder drug credited with extending the lives of people suffering from terminal gastric cancer.
The decision by the SMC to give the use of Herceptin a humanised, targeted antibody the greenlight has been welcomed by charities and clinicians alike.
The drug, which has previously been approved for use in England and Wales, has been recommended for use in combination with chemotherapy.
According to specialists the prognosis for gastric cancer sufferers has been typically poor and patients are often given only a year to live from diagnosis
Data from a landmark study of Herceptin show a combination of the drug with chemo can prolong the lives of certain patients by nearly half a year representing a 45.2% increase in median life expectancy.
Professor Russell Petty, professor of medical oncology at the university and consultant medical oncologist at NHS Tayside, has carried out research on the subject in the past and said that this week’s announcement is music to the ears of patients and clinicians throughout the country.
The lead researcher in gastric cancer said: “This approval has been much anticipated for patients and clinicians in Scotland.
“The Herceptin combination has been shown to extend survival and control cancer for significantly longer than the current standard of care.
“It is a genuine breakthrough in the treatment of gastric cancer.
“It is also encouraging to see that the Pace (Patient and Clinician Engagement group) process has allowed Scottish patients to access this treatment in line with the rest of the UK.
“This approval marks a much needed significant step forward in the treatment of this form of cancer in Scotland.”
Kate Cunningham, campaign director at cancer charity Ochre, said: “The approval of Herceptin is extremely positive news for Scottish patients with this rare and incurable type of gastric cancer.
“It is vital that patients benefit.”