An Australian first treatment combo PBS listed in lung cancer

In an Australian-first, an immunotherapy + anti-angiogenic + chemotherapy combination will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) on October 1, 2019 for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC).

TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) in combination with AVASTIN (bevacizumab) and a platinum-doublet chemotherapy will be reimbursed for the first-line (1L) treatment of patients with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC, and for those with EGFR mutant or ALK-positive NSCLC, after failure of appropriate targeted therapies.

Professor Stephen Clarke, medical oncologist from the Northern Cancer Institute, Sydney, has welcomed the reimbursement of an additional treatment option for those with NSCLC.

“Historically, we have seen limited improvement in lung cancer survival rates. This is partly due to therapeutic nihilism around the treatment of lung cancer, subsequent delays in referral and diagnosis, and a lack of systemic therapies offering patients long-term benefit.

“The PBS listing of Australia’s first chemoimmunotherapy + anti-angiogenic combination for lung cancer represents a significant milestone in the management of this devastating disease, and will be welcome news for clinicians and their patients alike,” said Prof Clarke.

The trial results demonstrate statistically significant improvements in PFS (progression free survival) and OS (overall survival) in patients treated with TECENTRIQ, AVASTIN and chemotherapy (paclitaxel and carboplatin) (ABCP), compared to those treated AVASTIN + chemotherapy (paclitaxel and carboplatin) (BCP) alone.

Lung cancer is projected to remain Australia’s leading cause of cancer death in 2019. NSCLC accounts for around 85% of all lung cancers and up to 50% of these cases will have already progressed to stage IV by the time of diagnosis.

According to Lung Foundation Australia CEO, Mark Brooke, increasing treatment access is crucial to improving patient outcomes.

“Lung cancer has one of the lowest 5-year relative survival rates (17%) compared with Australia’s top 5 most commonly diagnosed cancers; breast cancer (91%), colorectal cancer (69%), prostate cancer (95%), and melanoma (91%).

“The PBS listing of an additional NSCLC treatment option arms patients and their carers’ with hope, and potentially extra time to spend with their loved ones, which will be warmly received by the lung cancer community.”

Roche Australia’s General Manager, Stuart Knight, said he’s confident the PBS listing of an additional treatment for lung cancer will help meet the high unmet clinical need within the lung cancer community.

“With an estimated 10,800 newly diagnosed cases of NSCLC anticipated in Australia in 2019, the Government’s reimbursement of the first chemoimmunotherapy plus anti-angiogenic combination for lung cancer on the PBS is a promising step forward in meeting a substantial unmet clinical need.

“Roche remains committed to improving the lives of Australians living with lung cancer through the ongoing development and provision of clinical innovations to ultimately improve patient outcomes,” said Mr Knight.