What has NICE said?
Ceritinib (Zykadia) is recommended as a possible treatment for adults with advanced anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non‑small‑cell lung cancer if they have already had crizotinib (Xalkori).
If you have ALK‑positive non‑small‑cell lung cancer, and your doctor thinks that ceritinib is the right treatment, you should be able to have it on the NHS.
Ceritinib should be available on the NHS within 3 months.
The condition and the treatment
Lung cancer is grouped into 2 main types depending on how it looks under the microscope: small‑cell lung cancer and non‑small‑cell lung cancer. The cancer cells can be checked to see whether they are anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive, that is, whether they have mutations (changes) to ALK. Advanced cancer means that it has spread from where it started.
Ceritinib aims to slow the growth of lung cancer that has ALK mutations.
NHS Choices may be a good place to find out more.
These organisations can give you advice and support:
-
British Lung Foundation, 0300 0030 555
-
Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, 0333 323 7200
-
UK Lung Cancer Coalition, 01675 477 605
-
Macmillan Cancer Support, 0808 808 0000
-
Cancer Research UK Patient Information (previously CancerHelp UK), 0808 800 4040
NICE is not responsible for the quality or accuracy of any information or advice provided by these organisations.