New drugs to treat cancer and eczema approved for use in Scotland

Drugs to treat cancer and eczema are among those that have been newly approved for routine use by the NHS in Scotland.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted axicabtagene ciloleucel, known by the brand name Yescarta, for treating adults with two types of blood cancer: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and high-grade B-cell lymphoma; when they have received only one line of therapy.

Lebrikizumab (Ebglyss) was accepted for the treatment of adults and children 12 years and older with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema.

Quizartinib (Vanflyta) was accepted to treat adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia, in which the cancer cells have a particular mutation.

Linzagolix (Yselty) was recommended for treating adults with moderate to severe symptoms from uterine fibroids, which are benign growths in the womb.

Somapacitan (Sogroya) was accepted for the treatment of children and adolescents with growth hormone deficiency.

Tenecteplase (Metalyse) was accepted to treat adults who have suffered a stroke caused by a blockage in a blood vessel, known as an ischaemic stroke.

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) was not recommended for treating adults with non-small cell lung cancer at high risk of recurrence following surgery.

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

“The committee heard from patient representatives about the heavy symptom burden of lymphoma and the expected benefits axicabtagene ciloleucel could bring.

“Patient group representatives shared the substantial impact that atopic dermatitis can have on those affected.

“Our decision on lebrikizumab provides another treatment option which may allow some patients to better manage their condition.

“The committee was not able to accept pembrolizumab for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in this setting, due to the uncertainties in the evidence presented when compared to current treatments.”