Review of NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance No.124; Pemetrexed for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer, No.162; Erlotinib for the second-line treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer and No.175; Gefitinib for the second-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (terminated appraisal)

The Institute was proposing a review of the three separate pieces of guidance should be planned into the appraisal work programme, as a Multiple Technology Appraisal (MTA).

During consultation, it became clear that many stakeholders disagreed with the proposal.  Upon further consideration, the Institute has decided that:

• TA124 should be moved to the static list of technology appraisals as it is recognised  that the availability of new data was unlikely to change the ‘not recommended’ guidance of TA124;
• A review of TA162 and TA175 should be planned into the appraisal work programme (within one MTA).

We will therefore now add TA124 to the static list of technology appraisals. The appraisal of gefitinib as second-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (TA175) will be combined with a review of TA162 (erlotinib second-line treatment) and scheduled accordingly into the NICE Technology Appraisal work programme.  

May 2012