According to the MHRA, the indication covers squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal that is inoperable, metastatic or locally recurrent. The medicine is used with carboplatin and paclitaxel.
The agency cited a study of 308 participants in which the combination prolonged time without cancer worsening compared with placebo plus chemotherapy. These are the regulator’s reported findings; they do not mean a cure. The announcement expands the medicine’s UK indications following its July authorisation for a different cancer, advanced Merkel cell carcinoma.