Bladder Cancer: SMC Approve use of Avelumab (Bavencio) for use in Scotland

Action Bladder Cancer UK are delighted that the Scottish Medicines Consortium have announced today that the immunotherapy Avelumab (Bavencio) has been accepted for use in Scotland.

In a phase III study, maintenance treatment with avelumab plus best supportive care (BSC) significantly improved overall survival when compared with BSC alone.

ABC UK welcomes the pragmatic decision by the SMC to approve this new treatment for use for some patients.  Not only will this bring some hope to patients with very limited treatment options, but it will also provide an opportunity to gather real world clinical data - vital to successfully developing further, much-needed, treatments for a neglected but common cancer.

Treatments for bladder cancer have changed little in over 40 years, leaving patients (and their families) with little choice.  Patients can face poor outcomes following their diagnosis, together with the possibility of recurrence.  Bladder cancer has been seriously neglected in terms of research investment and also in terms of recognising the acute patient need for new treatments and improvements in their quality of life.  The development, in recent years, of clinical trials for new forms of treatments such as Avelumab is welcomed. 

Allen Knight, Chair of ABC UK and bladder cancer patient, said:

‘Bladder cancer is an overlooked cancer - but it is not a rare cancer.  There have been no new treatments for bladder cancer for decades.  ABC UK welcomes the decision by the SMC to make Avelumab accessible in Scotland.  It is what bladder cancer patients, and their families, deserve.

We look forward to these new treatments also being made available for patients in the rest of the UK.'