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Niraparib, which prevents cancer cells from repairing themselves, was previously only available on the NHS for a small group of patients whose cancer relapsed after treatment. But following new guidance from the National Institute for Excellence in Health and Care, it will be offered to women in England with stage three and stage four cancer from their first round of chemotherapy.
Niraparib, sold as Zejula, will be the first maintenance therapy available to that group of patients, following an initial round of treatment and is aimed at preventing or delaying the return of the cancer.
In trials, it delayed cancer recurrence for up to a year. The change is expected to benefit about 3,000 women a year.
Annwen Jones, executive director of Target Ovarian Cancer, said it was the biggest advance in treatment since the 1990s.
She added: “It is an important milestone in the fight against ovarian cancer, bringing hope during a pandemic where we have serious concerns about how many women receive a late diagnosis. It is the first time that thousands of women will benefit from this innovative drug from the beginning of treatment.
“We have not had such a revolutionary drug available to so many since the introduction of the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel in the 1990s.”
Every year there are around 7,500 new cases of ovarian cancer in the UK, of which almost 60 per cent are diagnosed at a late stage. Jonathan Ledermann, Director of Cancer Research UK and UCL Cancer Trials Center, said: “The decision marks a turning point in advanced treatment of ovarian cancer.
“This could significantly increase the likelihood that we can delay the progression of a woman’s cancer for months, maybe even years, longer.”
Victoria Clare from the Ovacome charity added: “It is vital that women have every opportunity to live the fullest life possible, for as long as possible.”
Wales and Northern Ireland will also make Niraparib available immediately.
A decision is expected in Scotland later this year.
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