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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 whilst 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.