Following a full submission.
Temoporfin (Foscan®) is not recommended for use within NHS Scotland for the palliative treatment of patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma failing prior therapies and unsuitable for radiotherapy, surgery or systemic chemotherapy.
It is the first photosensitising drug licensed in the UK for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of these patients. Its effect in terms of tumour mass reduction and improvement in quality of life were small and were only observed in patients with lesions less than 10mm deep, which were fully illuminated with activating light. The quality of life benefits resulting from palliation, particularly in this subgroup, were marginal and the economic case for its use over other palliative treatments was not made.
The licence holder has indicated their decision to resubmit.
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Medicine details
- Medicine name:
- Temoporfin (Foscan)
- SMC ID:
- 96/04
- Indication:
- Palliative treatment of patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma failing prior therapies and unsuitable for radiotherapy, surgery or systemic chemotherapy
- Pharmaceutical company
- Biolitec Pharma Ltd
- BNF chapter
- Malignant disease and immunosuppression
- Submission type
- Full
- Status
- Not recommended
- Date advice published
- 10 May 2004