BRENTUXIMAB VEDOTIN

The PBAC recommended expanding the listing of brentuximab vedotin for the first-line treatment of advanced CD30 positive classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) to include use of the BrECADD regimen (brentuximab vedotin, etoposide, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and dexamethasone). 

The PBAC welcomed input from health care professionals, and organisations, supporting the listing. The input highlighted the need for treatments that improve outcomes while reducing short-term and long-term treatment toxicity when used as first-line treatment for patients, many of whom are diagnosed at a young age and may experience treatment-related consequences for decades after achieving remission.

The PBAC was satisfied that BrECADD provides, for some patients, a significant improvement in delaying disease progression over the existing treatment eBEACOPP (escalated combination of bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone). The PBAC considered brentuximab vedotin had similar safety compared to treatment with eBEACOPP. The PBAC considered brentuximab vedotin may be less likely to affect fertility. This was based on data on hormone levels from clinical studies and may be particularly important as BrECADD will mainly be used by younger patients. The PBAC considered that more patients may be eligible for treatment than estimated in the submission, and that the treatment was likely to be used more widely than predicted.

The PBAC considered the expanded listing for advanced cHL, which includes BrECADD and A+AVD (brentuximab vedotin plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) regimens, was cost-effective at the revised brentuximab vedotin price requested by the sponsor before the PBAC meeting.