NICE Recommends Lynparza for Advanced Breast Cancer Treatment

AstraZeneca and Merck & Co, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, have achieved a significant milestone with their drug Lynparza (olaparib). The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Lynparza for use in treating a new group of breast cancer patients within the NHS in England and Wales. This recommendation targets adults with HER2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who carry germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations and have previously undergone chemotherapy.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations are known to play a significant role in hereditary breast cancer, accounting for approximately 52% and 32% of cases, respectively. Those who carry these gene variants have a 50% chance of passing them on to their offspring. Lynparza, administered as a tablet, functions by inhibiting the PARP enzyme. This enzyme is responsible for helping cells repair damaged DNA. By blocking PARP, Lynparza prevents the repair of cancer cell DNA, thereby inhibiting the growth and spread of these cells.

Since April 2023, Lynparza has been accessible through the NHS for treating early-stage, high-risk breast cancer patients with inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. The latest endorsement by NICE is substantiated by positive outcomes from the OlympiAD trial, a late-stage study. This trial evaluated Lynparza against standard chemotherapy treatments in patients with a germline BRCA mutation and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer who had undergone no more than two prior chemotherapy treatments for metastatic disease.

The OlympiAD study reached its primary goal of improving median progression-free survival. Patients treated with Lynparza experienced a 42% reduced risk of disease progression or death compared to those who received chemotherapy. Andrew Tutt, the director of the Toby Robins Breast Cancer Now Research Centre at the Institute of Cancer Research and King's College London, contributed to the development of Lynparza for patients with BRCA mutations. He highlighted that these trial results played a crucial role in NICE’s positive recommendation, offering an essential oral targeted therapy option for patients facing this challenging diagnosis. Tutt also emphasized the importance of genetic testing to ensure that targeted therapies are accessible to patients who can benefit from them.

AstraZeneca and Merck have been collaborating strategically on oncology projects since 2017, focusing on the co-development and co-commercialization of Lynparza for various cancer types. Tom Keith-Roach, the president of AstraZeneca UK, expressed the company's satisfaction with NICE's recent recommendation, highlighting the significance of this decision in providing an effective treatment option for patients with specific genetic profiles of breast cancer.

This development represents a significant advancement in personalized cancer treatment, leveraging genetic insights to offer more effective therapeutic options. By incorporating innovative drugs like Lynparza into treatment protocols, healthcare providers can enhance outcomes for patients with hereditary breast cancer, thereby advancing the fight against this prevalent disease.