NICE Approves Voranigo for Low-Grade Glioma Treatment in England

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published final draft guidance approving the use of vorasidenib, marketed under the brand name Voranigo, for prescription on the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales.

Developed by Servier Laboratories, vorasidenib is an oral targeted systemic therapy indicated for patients aged 12 years and older with grade 2 astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma that possess a susceptible isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1 or IDH2) mutation.

This approval marks a significant shift in the treatment landscape for low-grade gliomas. This proves the first targeted systemic therapy approved for IDH-mutant low-grade glioma and only the second new NHS-approved drug for brain tumours since the approval of temozolomide chemotherapy in 2006.

Access and Implementation

To facilitate speedier access for eligible patients while routine NHS funding is established, the treatment is being made available through the Cancer Drugs Fund in England and Wales.

The approval by NICE follows a previous decision by the Scottish Medicines Consortium to approve the treatment for use in Scotland in March 2026, ensuring that patients across the United Kingdom now have access to the therapy.

It is estimated that approximately 300 people in England alone may be eligible for this treatment.

Clinical Evidence and Patient Impact

The approval is supported by data from the INDIGO clinical trial, which demonstrated that vorasidenib slowed tumour growth and significantly extended progression-free survival.

By slowing the progression of the disease, the therapy allows patients to delay the need for more invasive interventions, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy. This delay helps patients avoid the harsh side effects typically associated with those treatments and helps them maintain a better quality of life for a longer period.

The oral treatment, known by its brand name Voranigo, can now be used to treat people aged 12 or older with IDH-mutated, low grade gliomas such as astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma.

The Brain Tumour Charity

Patient experiences highlight the potential for improved daily functioning. Sally Penny, a 43-year-old patient who has taken vorasidenib for nearly a year, reported that the treatment given me my life back after four MRI scans showed her tumour remained stable, allowing her to return to work in June 2025.

Medical Context

Low-grade gliomas are types of brain tumours that grow more slowly than high-grade gliomas but still require careful management to prevent progression. The identification of the IDH mutation is critical, as vorasidenib specifically targets these susceptible mutations.

The introduction of an oral targeted therapy provides a non-invasive alternative to the traditional cycle of surgery followed by immediate chemotherapy or radiation, offering a new window of stability for patients.

Dr. Michele Afif, CEO of The Brain Tumour Charity, noted that this approval reflects a growing momentum in the field of brain tumour research, challenging previous attitudes that new effective treatments were unavailable.

Brain Tumour Research, which contributed to the consultation process as Patient Experts, emphasized that while this is a landmark announcement, continued campaigning and investment in research are necessary to ensure all brain tumour patients have access to new therapies and potential cures.