lapatinib (Tyverb)

Following a full submission

lapatinib (Tyverb) is not recommended for use within NHS Scotland, in combination with capecitabine, for the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer whose tumours overexpress ErbB2 (HER2) and who have progressive disease following prior therapy including anthracyclines and taxanes and therapy with trastuzumab in the metastatic setting.

In a randomised open-label study the median time to progression for lapatinib plus capecitabine was significantly longer than for capecitabine monotherapy. There was no significant difference in overall survival.

The manufacturer did not present a sufficiently robust economic analysis to gain acceptance by SMC and, in addition, the justification of the treatment’s cost in relation to its health benefits was not sufficient.

The licence holder has indicated their intention to resubmit