What has NICE said?
Ibrutinib (Imbruvica) is recommended as a possible treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in adults:
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who have had at least 1 treatment before or
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who have a 17p deletion or TP53 mutation and chemo-immunotherapy is not suitable.
If you have chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and your doctor thinks that ibrutinib is the right treatment, you should be able to have it on the NHS.
The condition and the treatment
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is a cancer of a type of white blood cell (called the B lymphocytes). The cancerous lymphocytes multiply in an uncontrolled way and stop other blood cells working properly. Some people with this condition have genetic changes (17p deletion or TP53 mutation) that mean they are less able to fight the cancer.
Ibrutinib blocks an enzyme on the surface of the cancer cells, helping to slow or stop the cancer growing.
NHS Choices may be a good place to find out more.
These organisations can give you advice and support:
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Leukaemia CARE, 0808 8010 444
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Bloodwise (previously Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research), 0207 504 2200
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Leukaemia Cancer Society, 0208 374 4821
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CLL Support Association, 0800 977 4396
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Cancer Research UK Patient Information, 0808 800 4040
NICE is not responsible for the quality or accuracy of any information or advice provided by these organisations.
ISBN: 978-1-4731-2277-2