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 1^st
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.