NICE has recommended a new targeted option for a rare and aggressive bile duct cancer.
NICE has issued final draft guidance recommending zanidatamab (also known as Ziihera, from Jazz Pharmaceuticals) for routine use on the NHS in England for adults with HER2-positive advanced biliary tract cancer who have already had at least one treatment.
Key facts from the announcement:
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Eligible population: adults with HER2-positive advanced biliary tract cancer after ≥1 line of treatment.
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Expected uptake: around 65 people per year in England.
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Administration: intravenous infusion once every two weeks.
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Mechanism: binds to the HER2 protein on cancer cells to slow or stop tumour growth.
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Reported outcomes: clinical trial data showed an average survival of 18 months after taking zanidatamab vs around six months with standard chemotherapy.
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Comparator note: unlike FOLFOX, zanidatamab does not require a surgically implanted device, which can cause side effects including pain, exhaustion, and nerve damage.
