Durvalumab (Imfinzi™) is an immunotherapy drug developed by AstraZeneca. The MATTERHORN trial showed that people with operable stage 1b-3 stomach and gastro-oesophageal junction cancers had higher rates of complete tumour response, reduced recurrence and improved survival when durvalumab was added to FLOT chemotherapy before and after surgery. NICE is appraising durvalumab + FLOT for use in the NHS.
If approved, this would be the first time that people with operable stomach cancer could access immunotherapy on the NHS in England. Durvalumab + FLOT represents the first major advance in treatment for this group in nearly a decade.
Stomach Cancer UK is a registered stakeholder in the appraisal process. We submitted a detailed patient group submission describing the lived experience of stomach cancer, existing treatments and the importance of improving long-term survival. We drew on interview material from 14 patients, caregivers and family members to ensure that our community’s experience is clearly represented to decision makers.
We also nominated two patient and caregiver experts who provided individual submissions based on their own experiences. In addition, we nominated two clinical experts, an oncologist and a surgeon, to ensure the Committee could consider specialist insight into the role of durvalumab in stomach cancer treatment.
NICE is reviewing the clinical and cost-effectiveness evidence, alongside patient group and expert input, and will publish its decision on whether durvalumab + FLOT will be available through NHS England. We value the opportunity to contribute as a registered stakeholder and hope for a positive decision.
Good to know: NHS Scotland has its own separate appraisal process through the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC). In Wales, a positive NICE recommendation would require the NHS to make durvalumab available within two months. In Northern Ireland, a positive NICE decision would be implemented by the Department of Health (NI) for use in HSC.