The Institute of Cancer Research, London has welcomed the announcement by NHS England that the lifesaving drug abiraterone has been approved for use on the NHS for men in England with prostate cancer that has a high risk of spreading.
Abiraterone, a type of advanced hormone therapy, was first discovered in the labs at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) more than 30 years ago. The drug has now become standard of care for many men with advanced prostate cancer, benefiting hundreds of thousands of men worldwide.
The STAMPEDE trial, led by Professor Nick James, Professor of Prostate and Bladder Cancer Research at the ICR, showed that a two-year course of abiraterone is beneficial for men with high-risk prostate cancer that has not yet spread – it halves the risk of their cancer coming back after treatment and reduces their risk of dying from the disease.
Thousands of NHS patients were excluded
When abiraterone came off patent in 2022 – significantly reducing its price – it was approved for use on the NHS in Scotland and Wales for men with high-risk non-metastatic prostate cancer – but patients in England and Northern Ireland were excluded.
It has been estimated that around 7,000 men a year in England who are diagnosed with high-risk disease or suffer from relapse following initial curative treatment, could benefit from today’s decision.
Experts hope that the new ruling will mean that up to 1,470 men a year will not be given the devastating news that their cancer has got worse and around 560 lives will be saved. The decision is expected to take effect within weeks and around 2,000 men diagnosed within the last three months will get access to the treatment if it is of clinical benefit to them.
‘Our research shows that this will have a big clinical benefit and save the NHS money’
Professor Nick James, Professor of Prostate and Bladder Cancer Research at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said:
"This extension of abiraterone to men with newly diagnosed high risk prostate cancer that has not spread yet is really good news for men in England. Our data from the STAMPEDE trial shows that two years of abiraterone halves the risk of prostate cancer coming back and reduces risk of death by 40 per cent. In the next five years, almost 8,000 men will avoid the devastating news that their cancer has come back.
"Even for men whose cancer does recur, this treatment gives them more healthy years. Very importantly, our research also shows that the reduction in relapses will also save the NHS money in the long run as this will translate into financial savings as well as the big clinical benefit."
Amy Rylance, Assistant Director of Health Improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said:
"This decision is a momentous, life-saving victory for the thousands of men whose lives will now be saved. Until now, men in England have found themselves in an impossible situation. It’s terrifying to be told you’ve got a cancer that’s likely to spread — to then find out you can’t access the treatment that science has proven to be your best chance at surviving is completely devastating."
We urgently need better ways to treat prostate cancer. Donate today to fund more groundbreaking discoveries, like the discovery of abiraterone, and help ensure that every man with prostate cancer can live longer, healthier lives.
‘Abiraterone saved my life – I’m beyond happy that men like me can now have fair access to treatment’
.jpg?sfvrsn=3e985a1c_1 "Giles Turner (credit: Giles Turner)")
Giles Turner, 65, from Brighton, was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in March 2023. Since realising he couldn’t access abiraterone on the NHS, Giles has been tirelessly campaigning to get the drug approved for all men across the UK.
Giles, who paid for his abiraterone treatment privately and is now in remission, said:
"Abiraterone saved my life, and I didn’t even know about it until I heard about the research trial that proved how effective it is for men with high-risk prostate cancer like I had. When I asked my oncologist about it, he told me that abiraterone was available on the NHS in Scotland and Wales but not in England or Northern Ireland.
"I was shocked and angered that my postcode meant I was denied free access to a treatment that could halve my risk of dying and give me the best chance of a cure.
"During my treatment, I channelled my anger into campaigning so that we could overturn this great injustice. Today’s wonderful news is the culmination of all our determined and dogged efforts. I’m beyond happy that men like me now have fair access to the most effective treatment, that so many lives will now be saved, and that so many families will be spared heartbreak."
Giles shared his story to help raise awareness of the need to increase access to abiraterone, which has made such a difference in his life.