Review of NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance no. 118; bevacizumab and cetuximab for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer

Decision to review existing guidance

The Institute had proposed that it is appropriate for the review to go ahead according to the revised review proposal, outlined below:

1.    An appraisal to update part of TA 118 covering bevacizumab, cetuximab and (additionally) panitumumab for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer following the failure of first line chemotherapies. This update would also include the terminated appraisal TA150; cetuximab for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer following failure of oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy.

2.    A separate appraisal of the remaining recommendations in TA118 (bevacizumab plus irinotecan for first line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer) is carried out (subject to a patient access scheme being referred to NICE for consideration by the Department of Health).

During consultation, the majority of comments received by the Institute agreed with the proposal put forward.  After consideration of all of the comments (contained in appendix A), the Institute’s Guidance Executive has decided to proceed with the proposal. We will therefore schedule the review into the work programme to begin in July 2010.

January 2010