There are currently 14 advanced therapies recommended for use in the UK by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)
All therapies are available to Welsh patients, but not all are currently available in Wales – travel to specialist centres elsewhere in the UK may be required.
The conditions which these ATMPs can treat are listed below, along with links to the NICE website where you can find more information on each.
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
Sickle Cell Disease
is the name for a group of inherited health conditions that affect the red blood cells. The most serious type is called sickle cell anaemia.
NICE ref: TA1044
Beta-Thalassaemia
is an inherited blood disorder caused by a deficiency in the production of beta-globin, a protein essential for haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells.
NICE ref: TA1003
Haemophilia B
is a rare genetic bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency of clotting factor IX, a protein essential for normal blood clotting.
NICE ref: TA989
B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-cell ALL)
is an acute leukaemia in which too many B-cell lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells) are produced in the bone marrow.
NICE ref: HST26
Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency
is caused by a problem with the DDC gene. This gene provides instructions for making the AADC enzyme which helps produce neurotransmitters from other molecules. Specifically, it helps produce serotonin and dopamine that transmit signals between nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord and other parts of the body.
NICE ref: HST26
Spinal muscular atrophy
Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma
is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). It is sometimes called primary thymic mediastinal lymphoma. It develops when B-cells become abnormal (cancerous). B-cells are white blood cells that normally help fight infection. They are sometimes called B-lymphocytes. The abnormal B-cells (lymphoma cells) build up in lymph nodes behind the breastbone and between the lungs. This area is called the mediastinum.
NICE ref: TA872
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD)
is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder which at the moment has no cure. MLD is directly caused by a deficiency of the enzyme Arylsulfatase-A. Without this enzyme sulfatides build up, eventually destroying the myelin sheath of the nervous system. The myelin sheath is a fatty covering that protects nerve fibres. Without it, the nerves in the brain and the peripheral nerves do not function properly.
NICE ref: HST18
Mantle cell lymphoma
Retinal dystrophies
Retinal dystrophy is not one single condition but the general name given to a wide range of eye conditions (for example, Retinitis Pigmentosa). ‘Dystrophy’ means a condition that a person is born with, ‘retinal’ means relating to the retina – the light sensitive film at the back of the eye. Most retinal dystrophies are genetic.
NICE ref: HST11
Symptomatic articular cartilage defects of the knee
A knee joint cartilage defect is an area of damaged cartilage on any of the surfaces of the knee joint, which include the thigh bone (femur), shinbone (tibia), and kneecap (patella). These cartilage defects are also called osteochondral defects.
NICE ref: TA508
Adenosine deaminase deficiency – severe combined immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID)
Limbal stem cell deficiency (LCD)
is characterised by a loss or deficiency of stem cells in the limbus, which is the part of the eye that generates new cells for the cornea, causing pain and reduced sight.
NICE ref: TA467
Metastatic melanoma
is when melanoma cells spread from where they started (in the skin) to other parts of the body. Melanoma cells can travel through the blood or the lymphatic system. When the cells reach another part of the body, they may begin to grow and form another tumour. This is called a secondary melanoma or a metastasis.
NICE ref: TA410