NHS to Offer Drug for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

British children suffering from a rare form of genetic disorder now have an alternative to surgery after the NHS revealed that it will be offering a new drug that promises to reduce the tumor size that occurs in this condition by more than 50 percent.

Known as tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), the condition affects more than 1,600 children in UK and is responsible for the growth of non-malignant tumors in brain and kidneys. Until now, the only form of treatment has been surgery.

However the new drug, known as everolimus, has been found to shrink the subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) tumors associated with TSC by more than 50 percent. NHS doctors can now apply for funding from the health trusts after the drug was granted orphan drug status for rare diseases.


Source: Medindia