Sunitinib approved by NICE as treatment option for gastrointestinal stromal tumours

摘要

Use of sunitinib (Sutent) by the NHS as a treatment for patients with unresectable or metastatic malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumours has been given the green light by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Use of the drug is endorsed by NICE for situations where treatment with imatinib (Glivec) has failed because of resistance or intolerance, and when the direct cost of sunitinib for the first treatment cycle is met by Pfizer, sunitinib's manufacturer.