Stem cell charity Anthony Nolan, together with Blood Cancer UK and Lymphoma Action, welcome the decision by NICE to reconsider the removal of the CAR T-cell therapy Tecartus (brexucabtagene autoleucel) as a treatment for mantle cell lymphoma.
After five years of Tecartus being available on the NHS in England and Wales, in December 2025, NICE published final draft guidance recommending the removal of the treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma from the NHS.
The removal of Tecartus would leave patients in this position with very few other possible treatments, most of whom would only have the option of receiving palliative care.
Whilst NICE acknowledged that Tecartus is clinically effective, it deemed the evidence about the extent of its efficacy too uncertain for the treatment to be value for money.
The three charities submitted a joint appeal to NICE against the final draft guidance, as did the treatment’s manufacturer Gilead. Following an appeal hearing on 30th March, NICE has now announced that it will reconsider its decision.
The appeal panel upheld two appeal points, agreeing with the three charities and Gilead that the NICE committee was not transparent about how the costs of delivering the CAR T-cell therapy on the NHS were calculated, and that it incorrectly included outcomes from patients who had never received Tecartus in its cost-effectiveness calculations. The NICE committee must now meet again to address these concerns.
Yasmin Sheikh, head of policy and public affairs at Anthony Nolan, said: “After a long appeal process, we are relieved that NICE will revisit its earlier decision to stop funding Tecartus for mantle cell lymphoma. Tecartus is the only CAR T-cell therapy available for this aggressive blood cancer and is a potential lifeline to patients for whom no other treatment options have worked.
“We will continue to advocate for access to this treatment on behalf of patients and families and hope to see a final yes from NICE. The NHS should be investing in cell therapies, not removing access to them.”
Dr Rubina Ahmed, director of research, policy and services at Blood Cancer UK, said: “We welcome NICE’s decision to reconsider this recommendation because, for some people with mantle cell lymphoma, Tecartus may offer an important option when other treatments have stopped working.
“Blood cancer research is helping more people live longer and better lives, but progress only matters if patients can benefit from it in practice. We hope this reconsideration ensures the realities facing people with rare blood cancers and very limited treatment options are fully reflected in the final decision.”
Ropinder Gill, chief executive at Lymphoma Action, said: “It is very positive that the case is being taken back to committee for further review and consideration.”
“Together with our partner charities who have brought this appeal, we hope that the Committee will revise their original decision and allow this treatment option to continue for those that need it most”.
Nikola Brigden’s husband, Scott, was 46 years old when he was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma. Nikola said: “When NICE published the final guidance recommending the removal of Tecartus for treating mantle cell lymphoma, I was devastated and incredibly worried.
“From the moment my husband was diagnosed, everything changed. I began living with uncertainty, fear and the constant worry about what treatment options may or may not be available in the future.
“Treatments that offer the chance of long-term remission are not just clinical decisions on paper. They give people like my husband the chance to see their children grow up, celebrate anniversaries or even become a grandparent.
“NICE reconsidering its decision means a huge amount to families like ours. For us, Tecartus is not simply another treatment option – it’s the hope of long-term remission and the chance for our family to have more time together.”
We encourage patients who have any concerns about their treatment to speak to their medical team or get in touch with Anthony Nolan’s patient services team on 0303 303 0303 or at patientinfo@anthonynolan.org.