Sarcoma UK is disappointed that the use of ripretinib for treating advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours after 3 or more therapies has not been approved after the first NICE committee meeting.
The National Institute for Health and Social Care (NICE) were looking to appraise ripretinib which, if successful, would mean all eligible patients would have access to this new drug. However, NICE has announced that the appraisal committee has reached a conclusion not to recommend ripretinib, within its marketing authorisation, for treating adults with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumour after 3 or more kinase inhibitors, including imatinib.
Ripretinib is a new drug for Gastro-Intestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST) patients with advanced disease who have had three previous treatments.. GISTs are the most common type of sarcoma, and develop in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, a long tube running through the body from the oesophagus (gullet) to the anus (back passage) and includes the stomach and intestines.
Sarcoma UK submitted written evidence on patient experience of GIST (using data from the National Sarcoma Survey 2020), and the lack of effectiveness of the other drugs. We also gave evidence in person at the committee stage of the appraisal.
‘It’s disappointing to hear that these patients with this type of GIST cancer will not have access to ripretinib,’ said Bradley Price, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Sarcoma UK. ‘For cancers like sarcoma, where the number of drugs and treatment options are already limited, access to new and effective treatments is vital. A diagnosis of sarcoma can be devastating for patients and their loved ones, and patients have the right to access the most appropriate evidence-based care for them.’
Sarcoma UK is committed to helping people with sarcoma access the most effective treatments for their cancer and represented the views of sarcoma patients throughout the review process, and gave evidence to NICE on this appraisal. We will continue to work with other charities, the manufacturer, and health bodies in England to find a way for patients to have routine access to this drug.
