Based on the recent research by the US Food and Drug Administration, treatments that are considered as breakthrough therapy designation (BTD) drugs are more effective in fighting non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)than the drugs that do not have that designation. The findings are based on research conducted from January 2013 to October 2021 and included 52 approved drugs. Of the drugs included in the research 41 met the criteria to be BTD. Nearly a third of the drugs (16 total) were associated with an improved rate of overall survival as well as an improved rate of stopping progression of the disease, with 14 BTD accounting for that total. BTD is preferred for intervention.
The researchers have said that the findings support faster coverage for BTD for treatment under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The expedited process doesn’t currently cover drugs going through for CMS. Changing the process would help get the drugs that are currently considered more effective be readily available to patients with NSCLC.
Study: Breakthrough Designated Drugs Led to Better Clinical Outcomes for Patients with NSCLC.