Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
05:34
A Cancer Cell Spheroid Assay to Assess Invasion in a 3D Setting
Published on: November 20, 2015
Has NICE been nice to cancer?
Maxwell Summerhayes1, Paul Catchpole
1Medical Department, Roche Products, Hexagon Place, 6 Falcon Way, Shire Park, Welwyn Garden City AL7 1TW, UK. max.summerhayes@roche.com <max.summerhayes@roche.com>
European Journal of Cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
|October 31, 2006
Summary
England's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has appraised over 20 cancer drugs since 1999, with most approved for NHS patients. However, access inequalities persist for some cancer treatments and during NICE guidance development.
Area of Science:
- Health economics
- Oncology
- Health policy
Background:
- The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) was established in 1999 to guide the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales.
- NICE evaluates the clinical and cost-effectiveness of therapeutic interventions to promote evidence-based care.
- A significant role of NICE involves determining the availability of new cancer drug treatments for NHS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the work of NICE in cancer treatment appraisals since its inception.
- To assess the impact of NICE guidance on cancer drug availability and patient access.
- To identify ongoing challenges and inequalities in accessing cancer therapies under NICE evaluations.
Main Methods:
- Review of NICE appraisals for anticancer drugs.
- Analysis of NICE guidance documents and their outcomes.
- Examination of access issues related to NICE evaluations.
Main Results:
- Over 20 anticancer drugs have undergone appraisal by NICE.
- The majority of appraised anticancer drugs have received positive recommendations for NHS availability.
- Despite positive guidance, inequalities in patient access to cancer drugs remain a concern.
Conclusions:
- NICE has largely endorsed the availability of new cancer drugs, benefiting many patients.
- Challenges persist regarding access to drugs during NICE's appraisal process.
- Inequalities in access are also noted for less common cancers not referred for NICE appraisal.
Related Concept Videos
02:18Cancer
Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:12What is Cancer?
Cells and tissues must meticulously coordinate their activities for the normal functioning of the human body. Therefore, they exhibit socially responsible behavior - resting, growing, dividing, differentiating, or dying - for the organism’s benefit. Cancer arises when cells divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues or organs.
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...
02:12What is Cancer?
Cells and tissues must meticulously coordinate their activities for the normal functioning of the human body. Therefore, they exhibit socially responsible behavior - resting, growing, dividing, differentiating, or dying - for the organism’s benefit. Cancer arises when cells divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues or organs.
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...