Press releases
Press Release
Following Planned Review NICE issues updated guidance on paclitaxel for ovarian cancer
Following a review of its previous guidance and consideration of new evidence the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has updated its guidance on paclitaxel for ovarian cancer. The updated guidance recommends that women with ovarian cancer should be offered the choice of either paclitaxel in combination with a platinum-based compound or platinum based therapy alone (cisplatin or carboplatin) for first-line chemotherapy - usually following surgery. This is a change from the previous guidance which recommended that paclitaxel in combination with platinum therapy was the standard therapy for women with ovarian cancer following surgery.
The choice of treatment should be made after the women and their doctor have discussed the potential risks and benefits of the treatment options available. In addition this first line treatment should be considered when a relapse occurs, if the initial response to treatment was adequate. Like the earlier guidance, the revised document also recommends that paclitaxel be considered as second line treatment for women who have not previously received it as first line therapy. It is not recommended as second line treatment for women who have received it as part of their first line treatment.
Ann-Toni Rodgers, Corporate Affairs Director and Executive Lead for this appraisal, said: "Today's guidance is an excellent example of how NICE considers new evidence and updates its advice accordingly. All NICE guidance is given a review date so that we can ensure it is based on the best available evidence at any one time. We planned the review of this guidance to coincide with the reporting of a major study - ICON 3."
"Careful consideration of ICON 3, alongside the original evidence suggested that, for the first line treatment of ovarian cancer, there is no clear advantage of the combination treatment over a platinum based drug on its own. We have therefore acted on this new evidence and changed our guidance to the NHS - both treatments should be offered and the choice of treatment is to be made after the woman has discussed the potential risks and benefits of each with her doctor."
"NICE is acutely aware that one of the challenges facing health services and patients around the world is that the evidence for treatments and care is constantly being updated. In the midst of this developing evidence base we can help the NHS and patients by providing guidance which is clear and reflects the current state of play."
About NICE
NICE is part of the NHS. It is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on treatments and care for those using the NHS in England and Wales. Its guidance is for healthcare professionals and patients and their carers to help them make decisions about treatment and healthcare.
NICE produces guidance in three areas of health:
- The use of new and existing medicines and treatments within the NHS in England and Wales - technology appraisals.
- The appropriate treatment and care of patients with specific diseases and conditions within the NHS in England and Wales - clinical guidelines.
- Whether interventional procedures used for diagnosis or treatment are safe enough and work well enough for routine use - interventional procedures.
NICE also funds four enquiries that undertake research in to the way patients are treated to identify ways of improving the quality of care (the investigations are known as confidential enquiries).
NICE guidance and recommendations are prepared by independent groups that include professionals working in the NHS and people who are familiar with the issues affecting patients and carers.
About technology appraisals
A media briefing on the guidance on paclitaxel for ovarian cancer is also available, and can be accessed on the NICE website.
Technology appraisals are recommendations on the use of new and existing medicines and treatments within the NHS in England and Wales, such as:
- medicines (for example, drugs).
- medical devices (for example, hearing aids or inhalers).
- diagnostic techniques (tests used to identify diseases).
- surgical procedures (for example, repairing hernias).
- health promotion activities (for example, patient education models for diabetes).
Our technology appraisal recommendations are prepared by an independent Committee, who include healthcare professionals working in the NHS and people who are familiar with the issues affecting patients and carers. The Committee considers the evidence on the clinical and cost effectiveness of the technology - this includes hearing the views of, and evidence from, clinical health professionals, experts and patients.
NHS organisations in England and Wales have to make the resources and facilities available to enable NICE guidance to be implemented. In January 2002 the Government announced a legal obligation for the NHS to provide funding for treatments and drugs recommended by NICE as a part of its technology appraisals work programme.
