Takeda bone cancer drug backed by NICE

Takeda's mifamurtide treatment for bone cancer in children and young adults has been recommended for use by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

The healthcare regulator said mifamurtide, also known by its trade name Mepact, increases the number of people who are effectively cured of osteosarcoma when used in combination with surgery and chemotherapy.

Osteosarcoma is the most common form of primary bone cancer and usually develops during the period of rapid growth experienced by adolescents, although its exact causes are not known.

"The drug is recommended in specific clinical circumstances, when it's made available at a reduced cost to the NHS under a patient access scheme," said NICE chief executive Sir Andrew Dillon.

He added that the recommendation should "help children and young people with this very painful and distressing disease".

NICE's final backing for the treatment comes after it reversed its previous position opposing the use of mifamurtide following's Takeda offer to reduce its price for supplying the drug.