Breast cancer treatment breakthrough for patients as NHS approves new 'landmark' drug

Thousands with advanced could live long lives thanks to a new drug approved on the . Capivasertib, retailed as Truqap, targets the most common type of breast cancer and stops it spreading. Up to 3,000 women could benefit from the treatment each year, with experts last night hailing it “a great success story for British science.”

The tablet targets a type of breast cancer known as hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative, which affects two-thirds of breast cancer patients. Taken as a pill twice-a-day, it works by turning off a cellular ‘switch' which helps fuel cancer growth. Linda Kelly, 67, says the drug transformed her life after breast cancer spread to her liver. The retired university manager, who accessed the treatment during a trial at London’s Royal Marsden hospital, told the : “[It] has been amazing for me and has already gifted me with nearly four years of stable disease and relatively good health.

“I enjoy a good quality of life, love the outdoors and enjoy travelling including a recent trip to New Zealand. It is really fantastic news that this drug is now available on the NHS for those patients who meet the criteria.

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"This means that hope of a longer life will be given to thousands of women per year without debilitating side effects of other drug regimes. This groundbreaking drug opens the door to finding a cure for breast cancer."

The drug is suitable for patients' tumours with mutations or alterations in the PIK3CA, AKT1 or PTEN genes, which are found in and half of patients with hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative breast cancer. Clinical trial results show capivasertib increased the time before the cancer got worse by over four months. It is taken alongside hormone therapy Fulvestrant, which helps stop cancer cells growing.

The decision to make capivasertib available on the NHS was made by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Last night Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said she was "pleased the company [is] able to recommend this promising new treatment as a good use of NHS resources and value for money for taxpayers."

Professor Nicholas Turner of The Institute of Cancer Research, who led a major trial for the drug, said: "It's an immensely rewarding moment to see this drug provide patients with a treatment option and precious extra time with their families. It is now crucial that advanced breast cancer patients have their cancer tested to identify those who could benefit from this capivasertib combination."

Professor Kristian Helin, chief executive of the ICR, added: "This announcement is a triumph that will improve treatment for these patients with the most common type of advanced breast cancer.”

Professor Paul Workman, former chief executive of the ICR and a researcher on the drug, said: "I am delighted to celebrate this landmark moment and see capivasertib become available on the NHS. The drug's discovery and development, following early fundamental research, has been a long scientific journey for myself and the outstanding teams of scientists at the ICR, Astex and AstraZeneca.”

Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England said: “This new combination treatment offers an additional option for some people whose breast cancer has progressed despite previous hormone therapy, and who may benefit from a targeted approach. While it won’t be suitable for everyone, giving patients more time before more intensive therapies are required is an important part of our drive to personalise cancer care and improve quality of life for patients wherever possible.”

Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, welcomed the approval but said an initial rejection by Nice over uncertainties in the evidence had led to delays. This happens too often and urgent action must be taken to ensure the quick approval of breast cancer drugs so they can be made available promptly to those who need them," she said.