Avastin additional coverage approved for colorectal cancer

HIRA posts revised reimbursed anticancer therapy list

Adcetri wins reimbursement as a second-line for non-Hodkin lymphoma

Combination therapy of Avastin (bevacizumab) plus irinotecan plus low-dose capecitabine (mCAPIRI)’ treating metastatic colorectal cancer would receive insurance benefit from Mar.

 

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Moreover, indications to treat patients with stage IIB or later mycosis fungoides, primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL), or Sézary disease have been added to Adcetri’ (brentuximab).

 

The drug’s current reimbursement is limited to second-line or later treatment for relapse or refractory CP30 positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

 

Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) is collecting public opinion on the said changes made.

 

Without any issue, they would come in effect from Mar.

 

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HIRA has reviewed expanding coverage of Avastin to also cover for an ‘irinotecan plus mCAPIRI plus bevacizumab combination therapy.’ Initially, the drug was approved to treat metastatic colorectal cancer as a combination therapy with fluoro pyrimidine class chemotherapy.

 

According to a literature review on textbook, guideline and clinical trial studies, the combination therapy has not been mentioned on either text or National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline.

 

But a 2018 guideline by European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) has mentioned it to have ‘study in progress,’ and a Phase 3 clinical trial comparing noninferiority of 'FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab’ and FOLFIRI has confirmed noninferiority with median overall survival of 16.8 months and 15.4 months.

 

The combination therapy has been granted for reimbursement as a second-line treatment.

 

HIRA explained, “The reimbursement on the drug has been granted for treating metastatic colorectal cancer as it could enhance convenience of outpatient treatment better than the already reimbursed therapy, and it could also provide more option of treatment to patients.” Additionally indicated to treat patients with CD30 positive cutaneous T cell lymphoma, who has been treated with one or more systemic treatment, Adcetris is recommended as category 2A by NCCN guideline for treating mycosis fungoides, primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL), or Sézary disease.

 

In Phase 3 ALCANZA study, the patient group with stage IIB or later mycosis fungoides and primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL) demonstrated overall reaction rate (ORR) of 70.8 percent, and specifically 62.5 percent of the group had reaction over four months.

 

And 18.8 percent of the group experienced complete response.

 

HIRA official said, “The reimbursement on the treatment was approved considering the specific indication lacks other alternative treatment option.”