In its new draft guidance, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has strictly mentioned to stop use of three drugs, namely Merck Serono's Erbitux (cetuximab), Roche's Avastin (bevacizumab) and Amgen's Vectibix (panitumumab), to treat metastatic colorectal cancer which has progressed after first-line therapy.

Under the new guidance issued, NICE has clearly mentioned that the people, who are currently receiving these treatments, must consult their medical professionals if they want to continue with the option of therapy or if their clinicians and the patient themselves consider it appropriate to put a stop over same.

While commenting on the draft recommendations, NICE Chief Executive Sir Andrew Dillon said in his statement that "metastatic colorectal cancer is when the primary cancer has spread from the colon or rectum to other parts of the body, such as the liver. It can be a devastating disease for both the patient and their family."

In its report, NICE has mentioned about six treatments that are appropriate to treat various stages of colorectal cancer. Also, it said that non-recommending Erbitux, Avastin and Vectibix at such a later stage disappoint them but they are putting efforts so that people's benefits from their treatments justify the costs of the drugs that they intake, said Sir Andrew.