Gleevec imatinib regulatory update

The U.K.'s NICE issued a final appraisal determination recommending against the use of 600 or 800 mg/day Glivec imatinib from Novartis to treat unresectable and/or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) in patients whose disease has progressed after treatment with a 400 mg/day dose. The decision is in line with a July preliminary appraisal, in which NICE said there were no new good quality clinical and cost effectiveness data available on the higher doses when given after disease progression on the 400 mg/day dose (see BioCentury, July 5). ...