New cancer drug approved for NHS use in Scotland may give children 'more time without brain tumours growing'

A new drug which may give children with brain tumours more time without them growing has been approved for use by the NHS in Scotland.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has approved four new medicines for use including Dabrafenib used in combination with trametinib for treating children aged one and older with gliomas.

Gliomas are cancerous brain tumours that start in glial cells – the supporting cells of the brain and the spinal cord.

Health experts said the medicine could give children more time without their brain tumour growing and improve their quality of life.

Ivosidenib was also accepted for treating adults with advanced cholangiocarcinoma, a cancer of the bile ducts, for patients with a specific genetic mutation who have received at least one previous treatment.

The SMC approved teclistamab for treating adults with advanced myeloma – a blood cancer that develops in the bone marrow – who have had at least three 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.

“We heard powerful testimony from affected families about the devastating impact that the diagnosis of a glioma brain tumour has on children and their families.

“Dabrafenib together with trametinib may give children more time without their brain tumour growing and improve their quality of life.

“Ivosidenib offers the first personalised treatment for cholangiocarcinoma that can be taken at home, which we know will be welcomed by patients and their families.

“Teclistamab may be a useful additional treatment option for some patients with advanced myeloma who have already received at least three previous treatments.”

Elranatamab was also accepted on an interim basis for the treatment of adults with advanced myeloma who have received at least three previous treatments.

Dr Muir added: “The committee look forward to reviewing further clinical evidence, to ensure that this treatment offers useful clinical benefits to patients and good value for NHS Scotland.”