GSK’s endometrial cancer therapy approved in Scotland

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted GSK’s dostarlimab as a treatment for adult patients with endometrial cancer when used in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy. Specifically, dostarlimab will be used for patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer and who are candidates for systemic therapy. Every year in Scotland, there are around 240 people diagnosed with advanced or recurrent disease, an estimated 50% of which will now be eligible for dostarlimab. This means that dostarlimab is the first immunotherapy treatment to be accepted for use within NHS Scotland for this group of eligible patients. The decision by the SMC follows final draft guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The drug has been licensed in the UK since 2022 as a monotherapy for treatment of adult patients with dMMR/MSI-H recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer following prior platinum-based chemotherapy. Common gynaecological cancer Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer in the UK and has seen rising incidence and mortality rates. Survival rates for patients with recurrent endometrial cancer remain poor. The median overall survival rates of patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer is reported to be less than three years when treated with standard of care platinum-based chemotherapy. Dr Alison Stillie, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre, said: “The SMC’s approval of dostarlimab, in combination with chemotherapy for eligible endometrial cancer patients with dMMR/MSI-H primary advanced or recurrent disease, is welcome news. This will give selected patients across Scotland, who have been faced with limited treatment options, the potential to access this treatment in the first line setting.” Mark Toms, Vice President Medical Affairs and UK Country Medical Director, GSK, added: “For many years, there has been little advancement in endometrial cancer treatment, with clinicians having few options for their patients. At GSK, we aspire to improve outcomes for people living with cancer, particularly those with unmet needs. We are proud of our collaborative work with NHS Scotland and SMC stakeholders and are delighted by today’s news, which may provide eligible Scottish patients with the opportunity to access this treatment in the first line setting.”