The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recently recommended Pfizer’s Lorviqua (lorlatinib) as a first-line treatment for certain types of lung cancer in England. This decision follows the publication of NICE’s final guidance on the therapy, which provides a new treatment option for eligible lung cancer patients. Lorviqua is approved for use in adults with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have not previously received an ALK inhibitor.
Lorviqua is an orally administered ALK inhibitor that targets enzymes involved in cell growth and division, helping to prevent the proliferation of cancer cells. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with around 40,000 patients diagnosed in England each year. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 80-85% of all lung cancer cases, and around 5% of these involve ALK-positive tumors.
NICE’s recommendation is significant, as it provides a new treatment option for patients with ALK-positive advanced NSCLC. Previously, Lorviqua was only available on the NHS in England as a second-line option, while the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) approved it as a first-line treatment for NHS Scotland in 2022. The approval of Lorviqua as a first-line treatment is expected to improve the quality of life and survival prognosis for patients with this type of lung cancer.
Yvonne Diaz, co-founder and chair of Oncogene Cancer Research, welcomed NICE’s decision, stating that it is essential for patients to access therapies that can help them have a good quality of life and live progression-free for years. Since there is currently no cure for the disease, it is crucial that patients have access to effective treatments that can manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. With this recommendation, patients with ALK-positive advanced NSCLC in England will now have access to Lorviqua as a first-line treatment, which is expected to make a significant difference in their treatment outcomes.