Oncologists welcome new PBS listing of AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s novel therapy in advanced breast cancer

Pharma News: AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s innovative cancer therapy, Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan), is set to transform the lives of Australians living with an aggressive form of breast cancer. The Australian Government has announced the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing of the novel therapy from 1st November 2023, providing eligible HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients with a promising lifeline.

This innovative medicine, a HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), is a joint venture by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo. The reimbursement is a ray of hope for patients whose disease has progressed following prior HER2-directed therapy for metastatic breast cancer or those whose condition has deteriorated within six months following adjuvant (post-surgical) treatment with a HER2- therapy.

Dr Michelle White, Medical Oncologist at Cabrini Brighton in Melbourne emphasised the importance of this milestone. “While survival outcomes for patients with metastatic breast cancer have improved significantly over the last 20 years, currently only one third of patients are still alive five years after being diagnosed. The inclusion of Enhertu on the PBS is an important step forward in the management of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. This targeted treatment directly attacks the HER2 cancer cells, aiming to stop the growth and progression of the disease. Eligible patients who progress on their initial therapy now have another treatment option for their metastatic disease,” she expressed.

Enhertu has shown to improve median progression-free survival for people with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer by more than 10 months. Around 15 to 20% of breast cancers are HER2-positive, characterised by its aggressive nature, high recurrence rate, and poorer survival.

BCNA’s Director Policy, Advocacy and Support Services Vicki Durston said that it is imperative people with metastatic breast cancer, a growing group with significant unmet needs, have access to new and innovative therapies. BCNA has long been calling for improvements to the collection and reporting of metastatic data as well as advocating for improved services to ensure this group is not invisible in the healthcare system.

Ben McDonald, Country President of AstraZeneca Australia and New Zealand, expressed his thoughts on this significant development. “The inclusion of Enhertu on the PBS is important for patients living with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. We estimate that hundreds of new Australian patients will be able to access this medicine on the PBS each year. We are proud to deliver access to this targeted medicine, which may give patients more time with their loved ones. We commend the Australian Government for ensuring more Australian cancer patients have affordable access to new cancer medicines,” he commented.

Australia witnesses approximately 20,000 breast cancer diagnoses annually, with 1,000 cases presenting as metastatic breast cancer upon initial diagnosis. While living with metastatic breast cancer, patients grapple with the physical and emotional demands of the disease while striving to balance their everyday lives, including work and family responsibilities. This new treatment option aims to reduce the risk of disease progression for these vulnerable patients, providing them with renewed hope and potentially more time with their loved ones.

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