NICE Single Technology Appraisal Guidance No 179 – Sunitinib
for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumours
This NICE Guidance was published 23
September 2009. The web reference for the appraisal and other
related documents is: www.nice.org.uk/TA179
NHSScotland should note
that:
NHSScotland should note that:
1. Recommendations of NICE Single Technology Appraisals (STAs)
have no status in NHS Scotland.
2. NHS Boards should continue to adhere to the SMC advice.
3. The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) published an updated
Statement of Advice on this medication for this indication in
November 2009 following a resubmission . This stated
that:
Sunitinib (Sutent) is accepted for use within NHS Scotland for
the treatment of unresectable and/or metastatic malignant
gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) after failure of imatinib
mesilate treatment due to resistance or intolerance. Sunitinib
compared with placebo delayed tumour progression by approximately
five months.
Treatment with sunitinib should not be continued if there is
evidence of unacceptable toxicity or progression of disease. This
SMC advice takes account of the benefits of a Patient Access Scheme
(PAS) that improves the cost-effectiveness of sunitinib. This SMC
advice is contingent upon the continuing availability of the
patient access scheme in NHS Scotland.
Access the advice of the Scottish Medicines
Consortium: http://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/smc/7079.html
If you need further assistance, please contact Eleanor Brownlee
in the first instance (tel 0141 225 6873 or email eleanor.brownlee@nhs.net
Published Date: 25 November 2009
