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Thousands of women in England and Wales facing advanced breast cancer will soon have access to a new treatment known as capivasertib, also branded as Truqap. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved this twice-daily pill after reversing its initial decision, marking a significant advancement in breast cancer care.
Capivasertib is specifically designed for women with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer who have certain genetic mutations, such as those in the PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN genes. These mutations are present in approximately half of patients with this type of breast cancer, and the new treatment is expected to benefit around 3,000 women each year.
This targeted therapy works by inhibiting the AKT protein, which is responsible for promoting the growth and multiplication of cancer cells. Clinical trials have demonstrated that when combined with the hormone therapy fulvestrant, capivasertib significantly extends the time before cancer progression, increasing it from 3.1 months to 7.3 months.
The approval comes after an earlier rejection by NICE, which had delayed access to treatment for many patients. Healthcare charities have criticized this delay, emphasizing the need for more efficient approval processes for breast cancer drugs. Advocates are urging for rapid genetic testing to ensure that eligible patients can start treatment promptly.
The development and approval of capivasertib represent decades of collaborative research in cancer treatment, and experts believe its rollout could not only improve survival rates but also pave the way for quicker access to future cancer therapies. The NHS is expected to begin implementing the treatment soon, offering renewed hope to many women battling advanced breast cancer.
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