New treatment approved in Scotland for CLL: what you need to know

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted acalabrutinib for use in combination with venetoclax for adults with previously untreated CLL. This means eligible patients in Scotland will now be able to access this combination on the NHS.

This decision marks an important step forward in expanding treatment options for people affected by CLL.

Will acalabrutinib become available in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland too?

Acalabrutinib has not yet been approved for patients in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The SMC only approve treatments for use on the NHS in Scotland. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the organisation that decides which treatments the NHS in England should pay for. 

Wales and Northern Ireland usually follow NICE and/or the SMC’s recommendations on whether or not to approved treatments.  We will make a further announcement when a decision has been made in other UK nations.

What is acalabrutinib?

Acalabrutinib is a targeted therapy known as a Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor. It works by blocking signals that help leukaemia cells grow and survive.

When used alongside venetoclax, which targets a different pathway in cancer cells, this combination offers a new approach to treating CLL, helping to control the disease in a more targeted way.

What this means for patients

Access to new treatments like this can make a real difference for people living with CLL.

Having more options available means healthcare teams can better tailor treatment to each individual, taking into account their specific needs and circumstances. It also gives patients greater choice in how their condition is managed.

While this treatment won’t be suitable for everyone, it represents another important option for those who are newly diagnosed.

Our involvement

At Leukaemia Care, we were proud to be involved in the appraisal process for this treatment.

We worked to ensure that patient experiences and perspectives were included in the decision-making process, helping decisionmakers understand the real impact new treatments can have on people’s lives.

What happens next?

Following this decision, the treatment will be made available through NHS Scotland for eligible patients.

If you have been diagnosed with CLL and would like to know whether this treatment might be suitable for you, speak to your healthcare team. They can talk you through your options and help you decide what’s right for you.

How Leukaemia Care can support you with treatment

At Leukaemia Care, our mission is to support you and your loved ones - especially when navigating new and potentially complex treatment options. Here’s how we can help:

• Free Helpline & Nurse Support: Call us on 08088 010 444 (Monday–Friday, 9am–4.30pm) or message us on WhatsApp on 07500 068 065 for guidance, information and emotional support.
• Tailored information: Want to know more about CLL? Read our information here.
• Practical advice: If you are worried about the impact of treatment on your life, and need practical support, contact us to discuss how we can help.