Vidaza azacitidine regulatory update

Hematology and cancer specialists from 32 European hospitals designated as centers of excellence by the MDS Foundation wrote to U.K. National Clinical Director for Cancer Mike Richards expressing their concern at NICE's decision not to recommend cancer drug Vidaza azacitidine from Celgene for NHS use. NICE issued a final appraisal determination in March against use of the hypomethylating agent in its approved indications of intermediate-2 and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in patients who are not eligible for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Eight organizations are appealing the decision, with a hearing scheduled for June 1. ...