The combination of Lenvima (lenvatinib) with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) has been fast-tracked to Australia for women suffering from advanced endometrial cancer.
This was bought together by a world-first collaboration between the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the US Federal Drug Administration and Health Canada.
Eisai Australia Medical Director Dr John Bower, commenting on the limited treatment options that have been available to women experiencing this condition, said: “Our focus now is on working tirelessly with our partner MSD to ensure this treatment is made available via reimbursement on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to eligible patients.”
Medical oncologist and current chair of the Uterine Tumour Working Group for Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group Dr Yoland Antill speaks highly of the combination.
“The data with the combination of lenvatinib and pembrolizumab in the group of relapsed endometrial cancer patients, who are MMR proficient or not MSI high, looks promising and provides the first indication of a significant improvement of response in this group,” she said.
However, the process doesn’t come without concerns.
“The combination also demonstrates increased toxicity compared with single agent therapy, so it will be important to optimally manage these AEs to ensure maximal efficacy for our patients,” Dr Antill said.
