Scottish Medicines Consortium approves Venetoclax + Rituximab Treatment for relapsed/refractory CLL

[Jm954]

Venetoclax has been approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) for treating adults with CLL,who have already tried at least one treatment, in combination with another cancer medicine called rituximab. This is in line with the NICE decision for NHS England.

CLLSA submitted evidence to the SMC in support of this treatment which was considered by the experts reviewing the evidence.

More general detail here: scottishmedicines.org.uk/me...

and much more detailed information here, including some of the evidence that the SMC considered: scottishmedicines.org.uk/me...

Jackie

[JigFettler Volunteer]

It's great to see evidence of the progress in CLL treatment creeping into our shores! Interesting times.

Thank you!

Jig

[AdrianUK in reply to JigFettler]

What is interesting but perhaps not surprising about this document is that it is clear that venetoclax which is expected to be time limited is believed to be more cost effective than ibrutinib which is lifelong.

I think we may see quite rapid adoption of venetoclax plus rituximab as second line over and against ibrutinib and reserving ibrutinib until it is clear venetoclax therapy interrupted if remission occurs is not working well enough.

Of course if MRD undetectable status is as important early on in the disease as some experts now seem to believe this could actually be doing us all a favour.

But if ibrutinib really is in fact despite not typically getting us to MRD-U better at keeping us alive we may never know.

[JigFettler Volunteer in reply to AdrianUK]

Earlier diagnoses, earlier treatment, lower doses... less side effect!

Possibly

Jig

[ChrisLovesLife]

Great news, I'm so happy with the outcome of this treatment for me so far!

[Smakwater]

Yeah!!!

[Tovtovtov]

Good news!