NICE recommends against Tyverb, Herceptin
The U.K.'s NICE issued preliminary draft guidance recommending against Tyverb lapatinib from GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE:GSK; NYSE:GSK) or Herceptin trastuzumab from Roche (SIX:ROG; OCTCQX:RHHBY) in combination with an aromatase inhibitor as a first-line treatment of metastatic, hormone-receptor and HER2-positive breast cancer. NICE said the drug combinations do not offer enough additional value to patients over and above currently available treatment to justify their high cost. The committee acknowledged that the combinations could delay growth and spread of the disease, but noted that the overall survival benefit is less certain. In October, NICE said it would evaluate Tyverb in a multi-technology appraisal alongside Herceptin after a NICE panel rejected an appeal of a final appraisal determination that recommended against Tyverb. Tyverb is approved for advanced or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer patients who have received prior therapy, while Herceptin is approved for first-line HER2-positive breast cancer. Comments on the draft guidance are due by Jan. 19. ...