AstraZeneca’s BTK inhibitor a positive addition as Leukaemia Foundation launches new data

Pharma News: The Leukaemia Foundation has launched concerning new figures showing seven in ten (70%) Australians are unaware that, when combined, blood cancers are the second most diagnosed cancers in the country and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in Australia.

The research also shows that almost six in ten (57%) Australians are unaware that blood cancer sadly remains the most commonly diagnosed childhood cancer in Australia.

For patients with relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma (rrMCL) there is good news as AstraZeneca’s Calquence (acalabrutinib) is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) as monotherapy.

“MCL patients are prone to relapse and often end up in hospital for chemotherapy which can cause side effects including fatigue, impacting on their ability to perform daily activities,” said Dr John Casey, Clinical Haematologist at the Icon Cancer Centre in Townsville. “They are hospitalised often which can make them stressed and tired as well as their partner who they rely on for care.

“BTK inhibitors are changing the way we treat Australians living with MCL, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. The listing of Calquence, a BTK inhibitor that can be taken orally, for relapsed refractory MCL means patients now have an additional treatment option that can be taken at home or in other settings outside of the hospital,” said Dr Casey.

You may also like: Amgen’s cross-generational collaboration to inspire new thinking

Sharon Millman, CEO of Lymphoma Australia, said “Living with an incurable cancer like mantle cell lymphoma is incredibly difficult on those with the disease as well as their carers. In the last decade, we haven’t seen many new treatment options become available for mantle cell lymphoma patients so the reimbursement of Calquence as an additional option is welcome news for Australians whose mantle cell lymphoma has relapsed or are intolerant to existing therapy options.”

Chris Tanti, CEO of Leukaemia Foundation, added “This listing is another treatment for patients with mantle cell lymphoma patients, particularly those living in regional and remote areas who often have to leave their home to receive current intravenous treatment. With the number of Australians facing a blood cancer diagnosis continuing to rise, we look forward to seeing further progress to improve access to the latest medicines and treatment for all Australians living with this blood cancer in the future.”

“AstraZeneca is committed to transforming the lives of blood cancer patients in Australia. The PBS listing of Calquence means those patients whose mantle cell lymphoma has relapsed or cannot tolerate current treatment now have an additional treatment option which they can take from the comfort of their own home,” said Liz Chatwin, Country President Australia and New Zealand.

“Even in the midst of a global pandemic blood cancer doesn’t stop, so neither can we. I urge all Australians to join us and make it their mission in 2022 to support the growing number of people diagnosed with blood cancer every day by signing up to World’s Greatest Shave,” Mr Tanti said. 

Officially ramping up to ‘Shave Week’ between March 16-20, join the fight against blood cancer and register by downloading the app and signing up online at www.worldsgreatestshave.com #WorldsGreatestShave #ShaveForACure #bloodcancer