Med Tech-related health technology assessments from NIHR in November 2023

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds valuable independent research for health and social care decision-makers in England. Reports from the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme are published in the NIHR HTA Journal and inform NICE guidance. 

In November 2023, NIHR released an assessment of hypofractionated whole breast radiotherapy (RT) for early breast cancer treatment based on the multicentre phase III noninferiority trial (FAST-Forward phase III RCT). 

The objectives of the Main Trial were to identify a 5-fraction schedule of curative RT delivered in once-daily fractions (1 week) that is at least as effective and safe as the current UK standard 15-fraction (3-week) regimen after primary surgery for early breast cancer, in terms of local tumor control, adverse effects, patient-reported outcomes, and health economic consequences. The objectives of the Nodal Sub-Study were to show that a 5-fraction schedule of adjuvant RT to level I–III axilla and/or level IV axilla is non-inferior to a 15-fraction standard in terms of patient-reported arm swelling and function and to contribute additional information to the endpoints of the Main Trial.

It was concluded that five-year local tumor incidence and normal tissue effects prevalence show 26 Gy in 5 fractions in 1 week is a safe and effective alternative to 40 Gy in 15 fractions for patients prescribed adjuvant local radiotherapy after primary surgery for early-stage breast cancer.

See the full details here.

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