Brentuximab vedotin
Published on: 18 January 2021Brentuximab vedotin is to be available on the NHS in Scotland for first-line treatment of systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has today announced that brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris®) will be available on the NHS in Scotland for adults with systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) who have not been treated before.
sALCL is a rare, aggressive type of lymphoma that can be difficult to treat. Until now, it has had limited treatment options.
Being diagnosed with sALCL can have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients and their family or friends. The disease and the current treatment options can have a physical as well as a psychological impact. We are really pleased that newly diagnosed patients can now have access to an effective treatment, that can improve their quality of life and outcomes.
Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody–drug conjugate: an anti-cancer drug joined to an antibody. To treat sALCL, it is combined with a chemotherapy regimen called CHP: cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin (or hydroxydaunorubicin) and prednisolone. This combination offers an innovative, targeted treatment that has shown significant benefits over standard CHOP chemotherapy in clinical trials.
It is already available for NHS use in the rest of the UK and we are pleased that today’s decision means eligible people in Scotland will now have access in line with those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
18 January 2021