NICE Recommends Sirtex SIR-Spheres Y-90 Microspheres as Treatment Option for Unresectable Advanced HCC

February 26, 2021–Sirtex Medical US Holdings, Inc. announced it has received positive guidance from the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) regarding the use of selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with the company’s SIR-Spheres Y-90 microspheres for the treatment of adults with unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

According to the company, NICE recommends the use of SIRT using SIR-Spheres in England and Wales as a fully funded and reimbursed option for adult patients with HCC, on the following conditions:

• It is used for people with Child-Pugh grade A liver impairment when conventional transarterial therapies are inappropriate.
• The company provides SIR-Spheres according to the commercial arrangement.

“It is excellent news that NICE has recommended SIRT for the treatment of HCC,” commented Dr. Paul Ross, MD, in the company’s press release. “The expanded options will advance the quality of life for patients and provide meaningful alternatives to existing treatments.” Dr. Ross is Consultant Medical Oncologist at Guy’s & St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Clinical Lead for HCC at King’s College Hospital in London, United Kingdom.

Damian Mullan, MD, who is Consultant Interventional Radiologist at The Christie Hospital Manchester, United Kingdom, added, “The decision by NICE to approve SIRT is an enormous relief for patients with HCC, who often have limited options and now have a guarantee of access to treatment when needed. SIRT has been shown to be a cost-effective use of resources for the NHS, which is especially important during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”

Finally, Pamela Healy, OBE, Chief Executive of the British Liver Trust, stated, “The British Liver Trust is delighted that NICE has now approved the use of SIRT as an option for treating unresectable advanced HCC in adults. HCC is the most common form of liver cancer. It is particularly aggressive and a diagnosis is devastating for patients, carers, and their families. Treatment options for patients with advanced liver cancer have been very limited and this decision will make this innovative treatment more easily available and improve options for patients. Evidence shows that outcomes for people with advanced liver cancer are particularly poor, so this is a very important step.”

The NICE appraisal committee’s Final Appraisal Determination is available online for review. The appeal period for the appraisal will close at 5:00 pm on March 12, 2021. NICE expects to publish the document on March 31.

NICE produces evidence-based guidance and advice for health, public health, and social care practitioners as part of National Health Service for England and Wales. NICE recommended SIR-Spheres as an option for treating HCC based on the clinical and health economic evidence submitted by Sirtex throughout the multiple technology appraisal process, noted the company.