Breakthrough Breast Cancer Drug Approved in the UK

UK Approves Landmark Breast Cancer Drug for Patients

​The UK has approved a new breast cancer drug, capivasertib (Truqap), for use on the National Health Service (NHS). Developed by AstraZeneca, this twice-daily pill offers new hope for up to 3,000 women annually with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer harboring specific genetic mutations.

Capivasertib works by inhibiting the AKT protein, which fuels the multiplication of cancer cells. Clinical trials have demonstrated the drug’s efficacy, revealing that when combined with the hormone therapy fulvestrant, capivasertib extended the period before cancer advancement by an average of 4.2 months compared to patients receiving fulvestrant and a placebo. This translates to an improvement from 3.1 months to 7.3 months before disease progression.

The approval follows a reversal by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which initially rejected the drug after assessing its cost and benefit to patients. The decision to approve capivasertib marks a significant advancement in personalized cancer treatment, offering renewed hope to women with advanced breast cancer.