Government Funds Genetic Tests and Treatment for Kids with Cancer

For the first time, Australian children will receive government funded access to a medicine and matching genetic test that enables the underlying cause of multiple NTRK (neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase) gene fusion cancers to be treated.

NTRK gene fusions occur when a piece of the chromosome containing a gene called NTRK breaks off and joins with another gene. NTRK gene fusions lead to abnormal proteins called TRK (tropomyosin receptor kinase) fusion proteins, which may cause cancer cells to form and grow rapidly.

From 1 July, Vitrakvi® (larotrectinib) will be made available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of children aged from one-month diagnosed with NTRK positive tumours, as well as for adults with NTRK fusion positive advanced mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (a form of salivary gland cancer) and secretory breast cancer.

Medicare funding is also being provided for the genetic testing required to identify NTRK gene fusion, an essential step before treatment with Vitrakvi can be considered.

Eligible patients will pay just $6.80 (on concession) or $42.50 (general patients) each month for Vitrakvi.3 Without a PBS listing, the medicine would cost around $100,000 per year, and the diagnostic NTRK fusion test can cost up to $2,000.

Associate Professor Jordan Hansford, a Clinical Oncologist and children’s brain cancer specialist, welcomed the reimbursement of Vitrakvi and NTRK fusion genetic testing, noting the impact that targeted precision medicines can have on patients.

“Cancer is fundamentally a disease of the DNA, and cancer treatment is increasingly focused on what’s driving the cancer, rather than where the cancer is located in the body,” said Professor Hansford.

“We know that genetic information holds the key to optimal treatment, which is why this two-fold funding approach to testing and treatment is so important. It allows us to get the right medicine to the right patient at the right time,” he said.

NTRK fusion is a specific genetic change that occurs for no apparent reason and acts as an ‘ignition switch’ for tumour growth. Vitrakvi works by blocking the protein that is produced following the fusion process, thereby halting tumour development.

• Topics:

• Government Grants / Funding
• Health & Wellbeing