NICE supports Calquence (acalabrutinib) in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

The National Institutes of Health and Clinical Optimization (NICE) has published guidelines in support of AstraZenecom's Calquence as a treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
NICE proposes that if a patient has a 17p deficiency or TP53 mutation, Calquence (acalabrutinib) is allowed to be used in untreated adult CLL patients and can also be used to treat patients who have previously received at least one treatment.
Unusually, NHS England has allowed patients to see patients immediately through a temporary funding arrangement with AstraZeneca, which will end 30 days after the final guidelines are published, after which treatment will be funded from the regular NHS budget.
said: "CLL is the most common blood cancer in the UK and this announcement is positive news for many people affected by the disease.
Compared to chemotherapy, Acalabrutinib is generally well-to-do and is given oral rather than infusion, which is an important consideration for CLL patients and helps them maintain a good quality of life."
, head of oncology at AstraZeneca UK, said: "Despite this good news, we are well aware that many patients are still not up to standard of treatment."
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