Australians living with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, an aggressive and less common form of lung cancer1, will be able to access a new immunotherapy on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 December 2023 following the PBS listing of IMFINZI® (durvalumab) in combination with chemotherapy for eligible patients.2
The reimbursement is for IMFINZI® in combination with chemotherapy (etoposide and either carboplatin or cisplatin) for the first-line treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer patients.2
- Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in Australia. More than 14,000 Australians are diagnosed with lung cancer each year.3
- Small cell lung cancer accounts for approximately 13% of all lung cancers.4
- Extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) is aggressive with rapid onset of symptoms, has high rates of recurrence and one of the lowest survival rates of all cancers, with the 5-year SCLC overall survival rate just 5-10%.5,6
- Two out of three patients present when the disease has already spread within the lungs or other parts of the body,7 so cure is difficult to achieve and surgery is generally not an option. Without treatment, the cancer progresses rapidly, with a median survival of 2 to 4 months.6
- The combination treatment of IMFINZI® with etoposide and either carboplatin or cisplatin provides patients with a newly reimbursed treatment option.
- IMFINZI® is an immunotherapy which allows the body’s immune system to recognise and kill tumour cells.8
Ben McDonald, Country President of AstraZeneca Australia and New Zealand, which has delivered life-saving cancer medicines to Australians for over 40 years, said:
“We welcome the Government’s decision to list IMFINZI® on the PBS for Australians with small cell lung cancer, a devastating and mostly incurable disease.
“The reimbursement of IMFINZI® builds on the Government’s commitment to lung cancer patients, following their $264 million investment in a national lung cancer screening program to increase diagnosis and save lives.
“Thank you to the Australian clinicians and patients for their tireless efforts to ensure more treatment options are available on the PBS for treating different types and stages of lung cancer.”
Professor Nick Pavlakis, Medical Oncologist from Royal North Shore Hospital who treats patients with small cell lung cancer said:
“Survival outcomes for patients with extensive-stage small cell cancer have improved in the last five years with the addition of immunotherapy to chemotherapy.
“The inclusion of durvalumab on the PBS offers another immunotherapy drug option for treating patients with extensive-stage small cell cancer. This immune checkpoint inhibitor helps re-establish the anti-cancer immune response. It’s exciting to have another treatment option for these patients.”
Lung Foundation Australia CEO, Mark Brooke, welcomes the addition of the extensive-stage small cell lung cancer treatment onto the PBS.
“All Australians deserve equitable access to affordable treatment and this listing is a great step to improving access to life-changing treatments for patients.
“This listing caps off a landmark year for lung health, which included the Federal Government’s commitment to a National Targeted Lung Cancer Screening Program, a watershed moment. We look forward to continuing to work with the Government on advocating for patients with lung cancer.” Mr Brooke said.
ABOUT IMFINZI®8
Indication: IMFINZI® is used in the first-line treatment of adults who have extensive-stage small cell lung cancer in combination with etoposide and either carboplatin or cisplatin.
Precautions: Patients should inform their doctor if they have any of the following medical conditions: immune system problems such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or lupus; have had an organ transplant; have lung or breathing problems or have liver problems. Patients should inform their doctor if they are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, are breastfeeding or intending to breastfeed, or if under the age of 18 years.
Interactions: Patients should inform their doctor if they are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins, or supplements without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Side effects: Very common side effects include: cough, diarrhoea, stomach pain, skin rash or itchiness, fever, swelling of the legs, upper respiratory tract infections, hypothyroidism, nausea, hair loss, decreased appetite, feeling weak or tired, constipation and vomiting.
More information can be found in the IMFINZI® Consumer Medicine Information here: https://rss.medsinfo.com.au/ap/cmi.cfm?product=apcimfip10823
This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring in Australia. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse events at http://www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems
PBS Information2: Authority Required (Streamlined). Refer to PBS Schedule for full Authority Required Information. |
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In relation to this AstraZeneca media announcement, no compensation was provided to Professor Pavlakis and the opinions expressed are their own. Professor Pavlakis has been briefed by AstraZeneca on the approved use of this product.
Media Contacts
AstraZeneca Australia
anzmedia@astrazeneca.com
IMFINZI® is a trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies. ABN 54 009 682 311. 66 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113. www.astrazeneca.com.au
For Medical Information enquiries or to report an adverse event or product quality complaint: Telephone 1800 805 342 or via https://contactazmedical.astrazeneca.com or email Medical Information enquiries to medinfo.australia@astrazeneca.com
Notes to editors
Lung cancer in Australia
Lung cancer is Australia’s biggest cancer killer. It is responsible for almost one in five cancer deaths in Australia.3
It is estimated that approximately 14,700 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer each year.3
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for ~13% of all lung cancers.4 Patients diagnosed with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer are typically considered inoperable and incurable as the disease has spread beyond the lung to the area between the lungs or the lymph nodes and other organs such as the brain.1 The overall survival rate at 5 years for patients with SCLC is 5-10%.6
About IMFINZI®8
IMFINZI® contains the active ingredient durvalumab. IMFINZI® is a monoclonal antibody, a type of protein. It is a type of immunotherapy and belongs to a group of medicines called immune checkpoint inhibitors. It works with the patient’s immune system to destroy cancer cells.
IMFINZI® is prescribed and administered to patients in a hospital or clinic via infusion.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/NYSE: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas – Oncology; Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism; and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.
For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca.com.au
References
1. Lung Foundation Australia 2023. Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Types. Available at: https://lungfoundation.com.au/patients-carers/conditions/lung-cancer/diagnosis/ Accessed September 2023
2. Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee Meeting Outcomes November 2020 Available at: https://www.pbs.gov.au/industry/listing/elements/pbac-meetings/pbac-outcomes/2020-11/positive-recommendations-11-2020.pdf
3. Lung cancer. Cancer Council. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/lung-cancer Accessed September 2023
4. Victorian Lung Cancer Registry Annual Report 2020. Available at: https://vlcr.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/VLCR20-Report-Web.pdf Accessed September 2023
5. Demedts, K et al. Treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung carcinoma: current status and future prospects. European Respiratory Journal. Available at: https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/35/1/202 Accessed September 2023
6. National Cancer Institute. Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) – Health Professional Version. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/lung/hp/small-cell-lung-treatment-pdq Accessed September 2023
7. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Lung Cancer – Small Cell: Stages. Available at: https://www.cancer.net/cancertypes/lung-cancer-small-cell/stages Accessed September 2023
8. IMFINZI® Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) Available at: https://rss.medsinfo.com.au/ap/cmi.cfm?product=apcimfip10823 Accessed November 2023
9. TGA Approval 2020. Product information for IMFINZI®. Available at: https://medsinfo.com.au/api/documents/Imfinzi_PI?format=pdf Accessed September 2023
AstraZeneca Pty. Ltd. ABN 54 009 682 311. 66 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113. www.astrazeneca.com.au. For Medical Information enquiries or to report an adverse event or product quality complaint: Telephone 1800 805 342 or via https://contactazmedical.astrazeneca.com | AU-18181 November 2023