Tafasitamab with lenalidomide not recommended

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have not recommended tafasitamab with lenalidomide for treating relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma in adults who cannot have an autologous stem cell transplant.

Lymphoma Action appealed on this decision back in November as the initial recommendation suggested that tafasitamab with lenalidomide did not meet end of life criteria, which we disputed with the available evidence. The appeal was upheld (there were grounds for the decision to be reviewed), and this decision was taken back to NICE.

However, whilst the final guidance shows that tafasitamab plus lenalidomide meets NICE’s criteria to be considered a life extending treatment, it does not meet NICE’s cost effectiveness criteria and therefore cannot be recommended for routine use in the NHS.

Whilst we are disappointed, it is promising that other treatments have been recommend for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma since the appeal took place (including Axicabtagene ciloleucel for relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma and Polatuzumab for untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma).

Find out more about drug development, approval and funding, or visit Lymphoma TrialsLink for the latest on clinical trials for lymphoma.

 

Published: 23rd March 2023