NICE (UK) positive for Keytruda (pembrolizumab) with chemoradiotherapy for untreated locally advanced cervical cancer – Merck

NICE(UK): Pembrolizumab with chemoradiotherapy (external beam radiation therapy followed by brachytherapy) can be used, within its marketing authorisation, as an option for untreated International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2014 stages 3 to 4A locally advanced cervical cancer in adults. Pembrolizumab can only be used if the company provides it according to the commercial arrangement.

Why the committee made this recommendation: Usual treatment for FIGO 2014 stages 3 to 4A locally advanced cervical cancer is chemoradiotherapy. Clinical trial evidence shows that pembrolizumab with chemoradiotherapy increases how long people have before their cancer gets worse and how long they live compared with chemoradiotherapy alone. Despite uncertainties in the economic model, the cost-effectiveness estimates are within the range that NICE considers an acceptable use of NHS resources. So, pembrolizumab plus chemoradiotherapy can be used.