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Development and economic trends in anticancer drugs licensed in the UK from 2015 to 2019

Mark P Lythgoe1, Jonathan Krell1, Sarah Mahmoud2

  • 1Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, W12 0HS, London, UK.

Drug Discovery Today
|November 19, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The UK approved 44 new anticancer therapies between 2015-2019, a record high, primarily kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies. While these novel drugs offer clinical benefits and longer treatment durations, they significantly increase healthcare costs.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Health Economics

Background:

  • The period 2015-2019 saw a significant increase in new anticancer drug approvals in the UK.
  • Previous 5-year periods have not matched this rate of therapeutic innovation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the types and trends of new anticancer drugs licensed in the UK from 2015 to 2019.
  • To evaluate the clinical benefits, treatment durations, and associated costs of these novel therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of newly licensed anticancer drugs in the UK between 2015 and 2019.
  • Categorization of drugs into classes such as kinase inhibitors (KIs), monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and classical cytotoxic chemotherapy (CC).
  • Comparison of treatment durations and costs with the preceding 5-year period (2010-2014).

Main Results:

  • A total of 44 new anticancer therapies were approved, the highest number for any 5-year period.
  • Kinase inhibitors (N=18) and monoclonal antibodies (N=16) constituted the majority of new approvals, with only one classical cytotoxic chemotherapy agent.
  • Average median treatment duration increased by 55 days to 318 days, and average treatment cost escalated to £62,343 from £35,383.

Conclusions:

  • New anticancer drugs approved in the UK (2015-2019) demonstrate significant clinical benefits and extended treatment durations.
  • The substantial increase in drug costs presents considerable economic challenges for healthcare systems.
  • Balancing therapeutic advancements with financial sustainability is crucial for future cancer care provision.

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