paclitaxel (Abraxane)

following a full submission 

paclitaxel albumin (Abraxane®) is accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland. 

Licensed indication under review: the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in patients who have failed first-line treatment for metastatic disease and for whom standard anthracycline containing therapy is not indicated. 

SMC restriction: Use is restricted to patients who would otherwise receive docetaxel or 3-weekly solvent-based paclitaxel as second-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer. 

In one study the overall response rate for paclitaxel albumin was significantly superior to solvent-based paclitaxel in a subgroup analysis of patients who had previously received one or more lines of therapy for metastatic disease. 

The health economic case was only demonstrated for a subset of the licensed indication which is the basis for the SMC restriction. 

Note that paclitaxel albumin may have substantially different pharmacological properties compared to other formulations of paclitaxel and is licensed for use in a 3-weekly dosage schedule.