New Ovarian Cancer Medicine Recommended for PBS Listing

Ovarian Cancer Australia was pleased to note Friday’s release of the latest medicines recommended for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) which includes a new medicine for ovarian cancer.  

This is an important milestone in the process for funded listing of a new medicine in Australia and we look forward to working with all involved to progress through final steps to listing.

Please see below some frequently asked questions that might be of interest and please also reach out to our nurses if you have further queries on 1300 660 334 (during business hours)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What treatment has been recommended? 

Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) have recommended an antibody drug conjugate treatment, Mirvetuximab Soravtansine (also known as Elahere,) be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of high grade epithelial, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer in patients who have platinum-resistant disease and high folate receptor alpha (FRα) expression.

What is an antibody drug conjugate?

Antibody drug conjugate treatments are more targeted treatments that deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to the cancer cells. Because they can be delivered more directly than standard chemotherapies, they are more targeted and can use stronger doses of chemotherapy.

What does platinum-resistant and high folate receptor alpha mean?

Platinum resistant means the cancer may not respond to platinum-based chemotherapies, which are routinely used in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Folate receptor alpha expression is a test done on tumour tissue to see if the results are lower or higher. Those with high levels of folate receptor alpha expression are more likely to respond to Mirvetuximab Soravtanise, so the test helps work out who will benefit most from this medicine. 

Is Mirvetuximab Soravtansine available in Australia now? 

This medicine has been accessed by some in the ovarian cancer community through research programs and clinical trials, so some people will have had experiences of this treatment or other antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), but it isn’t yet available through the PBS. Now that a formal recommendation has been made, OCA will continue to work with all involved to progress this medicine to listing on PBS to ensure equitable and affordable access.

What about if I’m not eligible for this medicine?

As we learn more about ovarian cancer, and the role of personalised medicine, we know that a one-size fits all approach is no longer the way we treat ovarian cancers. Therefore, as new treatments emerge, they will often be suitable for sub-groups of our community rather than be used for everyone. It is important to speak with your treating team about what research programs, clinical trials or treatment options might be best in your situation as they are the best people to guide you on this.

We are always pleased to see progress in treatments for ovarian cancer, however, recognise there is so much more work to be done to find more effective treatment options, so OCA will keep participating in these processes: representing the voices of people impacted by ovarian cancer to demonstrate the need for better treatments; participating in for policy reform to see faster listing of medicines in Australia, and advocating for greater investment in research to find novel tests and therapies.