Bladder cancer drug approved for use but bowel cancer treatment rejected

A new treatment that could help adults suffering from a type of bladder cancer has been approved for use by the NHS in Scotland – although a drug that could help those with advanced bowel cancer has been rejected.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), the body which approves new treatments for use by the NHS, said that erdafitinib, also known by the brand name Balversa, could be used to treat adults suffering from urothelial carcinoma, a type of bladder cancer, that has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be removed by surgery.

It also approved the use of sodium thiosulfate to reduce the risk of hearing loss caused by a type of chemotherapy when this is used to treat tumours that have not spread in children aged from one month to 18 years old

In addition to this, mepolizumab, also known by the brand name Nucala, was approved to treat a type of asthma called eosinophilic asthma, in both adults and children aged six and over.

The drug can be used when the asthma is severe and has not been well controlled with previous treatments.

SMC chair Dr Scott Muir said: “The committee is pleased to be able to accept these new medicines for use by NHS Scotland.

“Sodium thiosulfate offers the first licensed treatment option for reducing the risk of hearing loss in children undergoing cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

“Erdafitinib offers a targeted treatment option that can be taken at home for people with bladder cancer who have already received one line of treatment.”

However, the SMC said that fruquintinib, also known under the brand name Fruzaqla, was not being recommended as a treatment for adults with advanced colorectal cancer who have already received at least two lines of treatment.

Dr Muir stated: “The committee was unable to accept fruquintinib for the treatment of adults with advanced colorectal cancer.

“The company’s evidence around the cost effectiveness of the treatment compared to currently available options was not sufficient.””