NEW oral treatment for ALL patients approved in Scotland

Webpage last updated on: 25th July 2024

What’s the news?

Today, Leukaemia Care welcomes the decision by the National Cancer Medicines Advisory Group (NCMAG) to approve Dasatinib for adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) Acute Lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in Scotland.

This is a treatment for patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL and Ph+ ALL patients with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy.

Leukaemia Care submitted a joint written response to the NCMAG alongside the charity Blood Cancer UK representing the views of ALL patients. A submission is created by drawing on experiences and data, and advocating for equity of access for Scottish patients.

Our Policy and Evidence Manager, Charlotte Crowley, said:

“Today’s decision is important as it provides access to a treatment for Ph+ ALL patients that may be more effective than existing treatments on offer. This is a particularly important step forward for Ph+ ALL patients with resistance or intolerance to other therapies, that now have more treatment options available to them.”

Why is this news important for Ph+ ALL patients?

For patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL, Imatinib which is also an oral tablet treatment, is the current standard of care treatment for this patient group. There is some evidence to suggest that Dasatinib may be effective in adult patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL than Imatinib.

There is currently no routinely accessible standard of care for Ph+ ALL patients with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy. The approval of Dasatinib is important as it provides an additional treatment option to this group of patients who cannot undergo existing treatments, such as Imatinib.

How does this decision affect access to treatments elsewhere in the UK?

Decisions made by the National Cancer Medicines Advisory Group (NCMAG), such as today’s decision, only apply to patients in Scotland.

The NCMAG only provide national advice in Scotland on the routine use of cancer medicines that fall outwith the remit of the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), such as off-patent medicines like Dasatinib.

England has a separate body that reviews treatments for use in NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE). Wales and Northern Ireland usually choose to adopt NICE’s recommendations. The manufacturer must submit separately, and a separate process followed before treatments are made available there. We will continue to work with NICE and companies to ensure everyone across the UK has equal access to effective treatments.

Be the first to know if this treatment is approved in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland by signing up to our Leukaemia Care e-newsletter.

More information on ALL

Order or download free copies of our information booklets about ALL. We have booklets for people who have just been diagnosed, as well as information on induction, consolidation and maintenance treatments.

acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) resources