The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved the use of palbociclib and ribociclib as treatments for women with previously untreatable advanced breast cancer, eCancer News reported on Thursday.

The two new drugs will now be available as treatments on the NHS. They belong to the same brand new class of cancer treatment, so they will work in a very similar way, slowing down the progression by inhibiting the proteins CDK4 and 6. Both drugs will be taken in combination with an aromatase inhibitor – this blocks the production of oestrogen and can fuel some breast cancers.

NICE previously rejected palbociclib on the grounds of the drug being too expensive.

According to BBC News, NICE's draft guidance states that women who have been diagnosed with oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer once it has spread will be eligible for palbociclib, also known as Ibrance.

Ribociclib, also known as Kisqali, will be available for women with the same breast cancer but who have gone through the menopause.