Bleaker future for men with prostate cancer in England

Today marks World Cancer Day, which this year focuses on “achieving treatment for all.” However, in less than five weeks’ time, men with hormone resistant advanced prostate cancer in England who could benefit from Jevtana (cabazitaxel) will not be able to access it.

This is as a result of a decision made by NHS England last month to de-list it from the Cancer Drugs Fund (The Pharma Letter January 13). Jevtana, from French pharma major Sanofi (Euronext: SAN) fulfills an important unmet need in certain patients and has been proven to extend survival in advanced prostate cancer. By de-listing this drug, NHS England is denying some patients with no other options, access to a vital, life-changing treatment, Sanofi noted in a press statement.

Recent findings published by the Office for National Statistics demonstrate that more men with prostate cancer are surviving for longer (five years after diagnosis - 87.6% in 2013 versus 83.6% in 2008). However, in time, some prostate cancers become resistant to hormone therapy and continue to grow despite treatment. Jevtana is the only active treatment option for advanced prostate cancer which is not responsive to available hormonal therapies following initial chemotherapy (with docetaxel).