Axitinib is recommended as an option for treating adults with advanced renal cell carcinoma after failure of treatment with a first‑line tyrosine kinase inhibitor or a cytokine, only if the company provides axitinib with the discount agreed in the patient access scheme.
At the time of publication (February 2015), axitinib has a UK marketing authorisation only for use after failure with first‑line sunitinib or a cytokine. If it is considered for use after any other first‑line treatments, the prescriber should obtain and document informed consent and follow the relevant guidance published by the General Medical Council (see the General Medical Council's Prescribing unlicensed medicines).
Because the remit referred to NICE by the Department of Health for this technology appraisal only includes adults who have been previously treated with sunitinib, the use of axitinib after treatment with other tyrosine kinase inhibitors is not subject to statutory funding.