NICE welcomes referral of trastuzumab (Herceptin) for treatment of early stage breast cancer

NICE Chief Executive Andrew Dillon, said, “We understand the importance of ensuring that the NHS has access to timely advice about effective treatments, particularly for cancer where time is always of the essence for patients and their families.  We are pleased that the Department of Health has asked us to develop guidance on trastuzumab.  This drug is not currently licensed for the treatment of early breast cancer; and how soon guidance can be produced will depend on when it is granted a licence for this indication.”