The Institute of Cancer Research, London, issued the following statement in response to the decision by NICE to approve the use of radium-223 for treating hormone-relapsed prostate cancer with bone metastases if docetaxel chemotherapy isn’t a suitable treatment option.
Professor Paul Workman, Chief Executive of the ICR, said: “It is fantastic news that NICE has reversed its previous decision on radium-223 so that men who are too frail to be given chemotherapy can now benefit from the treatment on the NHS in England and Wales.
“Today’s announcement brings us in line with Scotland, where radium-223 is already an option for men with advanced prostate cancer that has spread to the bone, and expands the still limited number of treatment options available to patients.
“This is an exciting and innovative example of a smarter, kinder treatment – specifically targeting bone metastasis and prolonging survival, while reducing the pain and discomfort brought about by bone tumours and improving quality of life.”
For more information on this story read our related Science Talk blog post by Dr Eva Sharpe.