Cancer drug saviour

PBS listing for therapy hailed as game-changer

A NEW lung and kidney cancer drug – dubbed a “game changer” by a Hobart oncologist – is being rolled out on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed Opdivo (nivolumab) will be reimbursed via the PBS tomorrow for patients diagnosed with advanced kidney and lung cancers.

The immunotherapy drug helps make cancer cells more vulnerable to attack by the body’s own immune cells.

Unlike conventional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation, it activates white blood cells that help fight disease so they can attack cancer cells in the body. Royal Hobart Hospital and St John’s Hospital oncologist Louise Nott said the drug was a game changer for the way cancers were treated.

“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Tasmania so to have another treatment other than chemotherapy is very beneficial,” Dr Nott said.

“This option is far better tolerated than chemotherapy. Patients say it’s much better for their quality of life.

“It normally costs thousands per treatment, so to give this to patients now on the PBS is great.”

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Australia, with about 8000 people dying from the disease each year. Some 3500 new cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed annually, making it the ninth most common cancer in Australia.

Up to now, patients have had to pay about $5000 a course, adding up to more than $130,000 per year. But the Government will subsidise Opdivo so patients will pay just $38.80 per treatment, or $6.30 for those with a concession card. It’s one of the biggest listings ever on the PBS, costing the Government $1.1 billion. The listing also represents the first time patients with advanced kidney cancer will have reimbursed access to immunotherapy.

The drug has been credited with saving the life of AFL star Jarryd Roughead.