Mabthera SC approved for PBS reimbursement in Australia

A new time-saving subcutaneous formulation of MabThera has been approved by the PBS in Australia for the treatment of common forms of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

MabThera is a therapeutic monoclonal antibody
that binds to a particular protein – the CD20 antigen – on the surface of
normal and malignant B-cells. It then recruits the body’s natural defences to
attack and kill the marked B-cells. Stem cells (B-cell progenitors) in bone
marrow lack the CD20 antigen, allowing healthy B-cells to regenerate after
treatment and return to normal levels within several months.

MabThera is used to treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
with chemotherapy or it can also be used on its own. To date many lymphoma
patients may have received MabThera via intravenous infusion over a number of
hours. However the approval of MabThera SC (subcutaneous injection) can mean a fast
five minute administration time that is significantly improving the treatment
experience for patients w
hilst saving valuable time for health systems

The listing on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from the 1st
of April will be for:

  • Relapsed or refractory Stage III or
    IV CD20 positive follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

  • Relapsed or refractory low-grade
    B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

  • Relapsed or refractory follicular
    B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

  • Stage III or IV CD20 positive
    follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

  • Previously untreated CD20 positive
    diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

    Patients should
    ask their treating doctors if they would like more information on this
    medicine.

 

 

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

For people living in Australia, we can offer a phone translation service. Have your nurse or English speaking relative call us to arrange this.

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.