Olaratumab now available via the Cancer Drugs Fund
Following on from the publication of exciting data from a phase 2 trial last year, NICE has now approved use of olaratumab in combination with doxorubicin for advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS) in the first-line setting. Doxorubicin has been the backbone of first line chemotherapy for STS for over 30 years and the early data suggests that olaratumab may have significant benefit in terms of overall survival. In this disease where few recent advances have been made, this is a promising new therapy. The British Sarcoma Group welcomes the opportunity for patients in England to gain access to this new agent on the Cancer Drugs Fund whilst final data from the phase 3 trial is awaited.