Glofitamab (COLUMVI) Now Listed on the PBS

Glofitamab (COLUMVI®) is a bispecific antibody treatment. It is now available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia for people with Refractory or Relapsed Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) who are not eligible for a stem cell transplant.

Refractory means the lymphoma is not responding to treatment, it may be staying the same or getting worse even with treatment. Relapsed means the treatment initially worked well and you went into remission, but the lymphoma has come back.

Patients living with DLBCL and their families should discuss treatment options with their specialist. Refer to the Consumer Medicine Information or speak to your haematologist for further information.

What are Bispecific Antibodies?

Bispecific antibodies are medicines made from antibodies created in a laboratory that can attach to 2 different targets at the same time. It attaches to T-cells (a type of disease fighting immune cell) AND to lymphoma cells. This brings the T-cell close to the lymphoma and by doing this, it helps your immune system find and destroy the lymphoma.

Bi-specific antibodies help boost your body’s natural ability to fight DLBCL. For more information on how these work, visit: Bispecific Antibodies & Antibody Conjugates.

Bispecific Antibodies and Antibody Conjugates in Lymphoma Treatment Factsheet

Contact Lymphoma Australia Today!

Please note:
Lymphoma Australia staff are only able to reply to emails sent in English language.

Useful Definitions

  • Refractory: This means the lymphoma does not get better with treatment. The treatment didn’t work as hoped.
  • Relapsed: This means the lymphoma came back after being gone for a while after treatment.
  • 2nd line treatment: This is the second treatment you get if the first one didn’t work (refractory) or if the lymphoma comes back (relapse).
  • 3rd line treatment: This is the third treatment you get if the second one didn’t work or the lymphoma comes back again.
  • Approved: Available in Australia and listed by the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA).
  • Funded: Costs are covered for Australian citizens. This means if you have a Medicare card, you shouldn’t have to pay for the treatment.[WO7]

You need healthy T-cells to make CAR T-cells. For this reason, CAR T-cell therapy cannot be used if you have a T-cell lymphoma – yet.

For more information on CAR T-cells and T-cell lymphoma click here. 

Special Note: Although your T-cells are removed from your blood for CAR T-cell therapy, most of our T-cells live outside of our blood – in our lymph nodes, thymus, spleen and other organs.