Health technology appraisals – Spring 2026 update

Myeloma UK’s policy team continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the myeloma treatment landscape. There have been several influential announcements from both the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), and there is a strong pipeline of upcoming appraisals.

Recent approvals: Recommended by NICE

Belantamab mafodotin (Blenrep®), bortezomib (Velcade®) and dexamethasone is now approved for myeloma patients who have had one previous treatment, lifting previous restrictions so that more patients can access the treatment. BVD was previously approved with draft guidance in June 2025, but this came with restrictions that prevented patients who had not yet received lenalidomide (Revlimid®) from accessing the new treatment. Read more about the expanded approval here.

Forward look: NICE

Daratumumab (Darzalex®), bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone

For newly diagnosed patients who are not eligible for stem cell transplantation
NICE is appraising the use of daratumumab with bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone for newly diagnosed myeloma patients who are not eligible for stem cell transplantation (SCT).

Myeloma UK submitted evidence for this appraisal in July 2025 and attended the first committee meeting in December 2025. In January this year, NICE published a ‘draft no’, not recommending DVRD.

This was reviewed at a second committee meeting in March 2026. Myeloma UK attended and highlighted the potential benefits of this treatment as described by patients during interviews with our Patient Advocacy team. Benefits included the positive impact of subcutaneous administration, increased progression-free survival, and the psychological benefit of deep response on quality of life.

We are awaiting a final decision.

Daratumumab, bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone

For newly diagnosed patients who are eligible for stem cell transplantation
NICE is appraising the use of daratumumab with bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (DVRD) for newly diagnosed myeloma patients who are eligible for stem cell transplantation.

Myeloma UK submitted evidence for this appraisal in July 2025 and attended the first committee meeting in December 2025. In January, NICE published a ‘draft no’, not recommending DVRD. This was reviewed at a second committee meeting in March 2026 which Myeloma UK attended. During evidence and committee sessions, we emphasised patient-reported potential benefits of this treatment, including the deeper responses and longer progression-free survival benefits the doublet maintenance treatment could deliver.

As part of our consultation response, we also pushed for an MRD expert to attend the second committee meeting. This followed much discussion during the first meeting around capacity to deliver the MRD testing associated with the treatment. We were able to provide further evidence that testing, if appropriately funded, was possible. We also highlighted the potential benefit of an MRD stopping rule, which would enable time off treatment, and patient preferences and perspectives on MRD testing.

We are awaiting a final decision.

You can read more about both ‘draft no’ decisions for DVRD here.

Isatuximab (Sarclisa®), pomalidomide (Imnovid®) and dexamethasone

The reappraisal for isatuximab with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (IsaPD) is still ongoing. The third committee meeting took place in January 2026. At the meeting, the NICE committee discussed the appeal panel’s recommendations and reviewed the revised cost-effectiveness estimates which take into account some of the recent changes in clinical practice – including the switch to generic pomalidomide.

We expect that a final decision will be published soon. The treatment remains available, and in addition to patients already accessing the treatment, it can be offered to patients not currently on IsaPD whilst the appraisal is ongoing.

Elranatamab (Elrexfio®)

The reappraisal for elranatamab (Elrexfio®) has started, with scoping due to complete in May 2026. Deadlines for evidence and committees are yet to be confirmed.

The treatment remains available, and elranatamab can continue to be offered to patients not on the treatment while the reappraisal is ongoing.

Linvoseltamab (Lynozyfic®)

NICE is appraising the use of linvoseltamab (Lynozyfic®) monotherapy for relapsed or refractory myeloma patients who have had three or more previous treatments. If approved, linvoseltamab can be given monthly after a period of initial treatment, rather than weekly or fortnightly as is currently the case for other bispecific antibodies approved as monotherapies.

Myeloma UK submitted information for linvoseltamab’s scoping consultation in April. Evidence submission is expected to commence early summer – we will be speaking to patients and clinicians who have received or used linvoseltamab, to strengthen our evidence for submission.

We expect to hear more about the timelines soon.

Anitocabtagene autoleucel CAR-T cell treatment

NICE is appraising the use of anitocabtagene autoleucel (anito-cel) CAR-T cell treatment for relapsed or refractory myeloma patients. Information on the indication for this treatment is not currently available. If approved, this would be the first NHS CAR-T cell treatment for myeloma in the UK.

Myeloma UK submitted information for scoping in April 2026 and are preparing evidence for this appraisal, which will be submitted in the summer. We will be carrying out qualitative research with patients and healthcare professionals imminently.

Health-Tec Programme evaluation – Gene expression profiling

NICE have also begun scoping for a gene expression profiling test, which would be used alongside standard prognostic tests for newly diagnosed patients.

Myeloma UK have attended the scoping workshop for this technology in April 2026, and further dates for the appraisal and evidence submission are to be confirmed.

Forward look: SMC

Talquetamab (Talvey®)

The SMC is appraising the use of talquetamab (Talvey®) monotherapy for relapsed and refractory myeloma patients who have had three or more lines of treatment, including an immunomodulatory drug, proteasome inhibitor, and anti-CD38 antibody.

If approved, talquetamab will be the first GPRC5D-directed myeloma treatment available through NHS Scotland.

Myeloma UK submitted evidence for this appraisal in April after interviewing patients and clinicians. Our evidence highlighted the potential benefit the treatment can bring to patients, particularly the potential to overcome treatment resistance due to its unique way of targeting myeloma cells.

We also discussed the side effects around taste and nail health. Although these can be challenging and have an impact on quality of life, the patients we spoke to felt these were largely manageable, particularly compared with other side effects from previous treatments, and did not outweigh the benefits.