SMC recommends two new treatment options for DLBCL
Published on: 11 June 2024Treatment recommended for patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL who have had at least two other lines of treatment.
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) have recommended glofitamab and epcoritamab as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), after two or more previous treatments.
Both glofitamab and epcoritamab are a type of targeted therapy called bispecific antibodies. They work by sticking to two different target proteins; one on lymphoma cells and one on healthy T-cells which are part of the body’s immune system. This brings them together, activating the T cells to destroy the lymphoma cells.
Glofitamab is given as a drip into a vein for up to 12 cycles. The SMC recommended its use because a study showed that 40% of patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL had a complete response after receiving it as treatment.
Epcoritamab is given as an injection under the skin for as long as needed. Its use was recommended because a study showed that 62% of patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL treated with it had an objective response.
Glofitamab and epcoritamab have both previously been recommended by NICE for people in the rest of the UK.
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