NICE rebuffs Herceptin

The U.K.'s NICE issued a preliminary appraisal recommending against the use of Herceptin trastuzumab from Roche (SIX:ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY) in combination with cisplatin and capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil to treat HER2-positive, metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastro-esophageal junction in patients who have not received prior treatment -- its approved indication. Comments are due by July 27.

NICE estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for Herceptin plus cisplatin and capecitabine would be at least L67,000 ($101,592) and possibly more than L99,800 ($151,327) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). NICE noted that although the clinical trials suggested Herceptin could extend life for patients, there was "considerable uncertainty" about the duration of the extension. It is generally accepted that a technology must have an incremental cost less than or equal to L20,000-L30,000 per QALY for the agency to consider it cost-effective. ...