As you will be aware, the Department of Health has asked NICE to carry out a Single Technology Appraisal of pembrolizumab for treating recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck after platinum-based chemotherapy.
Following on from advice received from the company, the timelines for this appraisal are to be confirmed as a pivotal study relevant to this proposed indication has failed to meet its primary endpoint for overall survival. Therefore, NICE has decided to suspend this appraisal from its work programme.
As this appraisal has been referred, NICE will continue to monitor any development and will update interested parties if the situation changes