GSK plc has announced this week that NICE has published a final draft guidance recommending the use of dostarlimab in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer and who are candidates for systemic therapy.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, there are approximately 2,770 people diagnosed with advanced or recurrent disease each year, of which approximately 580 will now be eligible for treatment with dostarlimab.
Dr Rebecca Kristeleit, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Adjunct Reader, King’s College London, said: “NICE’s recommendation for use of dostarlimab in combination with chemotherapy in the first line treatment of dMMR endometrial cancer enables access to the first major advance in decades for women with this disease with the potential to significantly improve their survival.
“This treatment option heralds a new era for biomarker-directed treatment of advanced endometrial cancer.”
Endometrial cancer, a form of uterine cancer that starts in the lining of the endometrium, is the most common gynaecological cancer in the UK, with rising incidence and mortality rates.
Over the last decade in the UK (between 2006-2008 and 2016-2018), uterine cancer age standardised incidence rates for females increased by 12 per cent. Despite advances in medical science, outcomes of advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer remain poor.
The median overall survival of people with recurrent, advanced endometrial cancer is reported to be less than three years when treated with standard of care platinum-based chemotherapy.
Based on survival statistics for patients diagnosed between 2013 and 2017 in England, only 15 per cent of people diagnosed with stage 4 disease survive for five years or longer.
Dr Chloe Barr, Specialist Registrar, Trustee and Advocacy Lead at Peaches Womb Cancer Trust, said: “This new treatment for primary advanced or recurrent dMMR/MSI-H endometrial cancer will provide options for people currently facing the reality of very few effective anti-cancer treatments.
“This decision is very welcome news and we hope that this is just the first step towards wider availability of more effective first-line treatment options for those affected by this devastating cancer.”
Jack Harris, Vice-President UK Oncology, GSK, said: “At GSK, we aspire to get ahead of cancer and improve outcomes for people living with the devastating reality of a diagnosis.
“Today’s decision is an important step forward, and a testament to our ongoing commitment to driving innovation for people with unmet needs, providing patients with the opportunity to access this treatment in the first line treatment setting.
“While today’s news is specific to endometrial cancer, our commitment in oncology extends to difficult to treat solid tumours and haematological malignancies. We have seen great developments within our pipeline over the last year and we are proud to have contributed to meaningful advancements in oncology.”
Following the NICE decision, GSK is working with relevant health authorities across the UK, including Scotland, where this medicine is being assessed by the Scottish Medicine Consortium, to try to provide access for those who may benefit from the therapy in this first line setting.
Dostarlimab has been accessible in the UK since 2022, as monotherapy for treatment of adult patients with dMMR/ MSI-H recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer following prior platinum based chemotherapy, available on the NHS in England via the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF).
NP-GB-DST-PRSR-240002 | March 2024
