SMC accepts stem cell mobilization therapy

The Scottish Medicines Consortium's (SMC) decision to accept Mozobil (plerixafor) for use in NHS Scotland has been welcomed by its developers, Genzyme UK. Mozobil is a new stem cell mobilisation therapy aimed at improving results for patients undergoing stem cell transplantation as part of their treatment for the blood cancers, multiple myeloma and lymphoma.

Mozobil is designed to help move stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream and offers hope for patients who might otherwise not be able to generate sufficient stem cells for a successful transplant. Mozobil has been shown to rapidly increase the number of stem cells circulating in the blood.

Eric Low, chief executive of Myeloma UK, said: "Today's decision is very good news for Scottish patients for whom transplantation represents the most effective upfront treatment option. The fact that Mozobil increases the likelihood of collecting enough cells for a transplant is a great breakthrough for the small group of patients who cannot otherwise mobilise enough stem cells. We are delighted the Scottish Medicines Consortium has approved it for use within the NHS in Scotland."

In 2009, Mozobil received marketing authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for use in combination with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor to enhance mobilisation of haemopoietic stem cells to the peripheral blood for collection and subsequent transplantation in patients with lymphoma and multiple myeloma whose cells mobilised poorly.

It has already been used in a number of UK hospitals on a named patient basis, for those who had failed to mobilise sufficient stem cells for transplantation using standard treatments.