Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: Merck Sharp & Dohme New Zealand Limited (MSD)
1 April 2022, Merck Sharp & Dohme New Zealand Limited (MSD) says that KEYTRUDA has 20 indications and is now available for use in combination with lenvatinib*, to treat eligible women with a type of advanced uterine cancer called endometrial carcinoma. 1
Mr Paul Smith, MSD New Zealand Director, says “We are delighted with this 20 th registration which means KEYTRUDA can be used in combination with lenvatinib by eligible women who have already received treatment for advanced endometrial carcinoma that is no longer working; and their cancer can’t be treated by surgery or radiation. 1
“Uterine cancer is the most common form of gynaecological cancer in New Zealand. 2 It disproportionately affects Pasifika and Maori women, who are five times and twice as likely, respectively, to be diagnosed with this type of cancer, compared to other women.” 3
Tash Crosby, Founder and Director of gynaecological charity, Talk Peach, says, “We are very pleased with this registration. To date these patients have had access to limited treatments and we know that many in our community and their whanau will be extremely grateful that there is now an additional option.
“The most common symptoms of cancer of the uterus are abnormal bleeding, especially in post-menopausal women, or vaginal discharge. Less common symptoms include pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen, pain or difficulty urinating, and pain during sex.” 4
Mr Smith adds “We look forward to working with Pharmac to ensure eligible New Zealand women are able to access KEYTRUDA plus lenvatinib for the treatment of advanced endometrial carcinoma.
“Over the past seven years, MSD has made more than 10 KEYTRUDA applications to Pharmac for public funding of certain types of melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, and classical Hodgkin Lymphoma. 5 Despite this, KEYTRUDA is only publicly funded for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma. 5 The situation has been unchanged since 2016.
“In Australia, KEYTRUDA is publicly funded for six types of cancer. 6 If Pharmac funded all the New Zealand KEYTRUDA applications, we estimate that well over 1000 patients could benefit each year. 6
“We are hopeful that Pharmac will receive additional budget this year, to enable more patients to receive access to the medicines that they need.”
References
1. KEYTRUDA Data Sheet
2. MOH cancer-historical-summary-1948-2018-10dec21 www.health.govt.nz/system/files/dlocuments/publications/cancer-historical
summary-1948-2018. Last accessed March 2022
3. Bigby et al Increasing incidence of endometrial carcinoma in a high‐risk New Zealand community Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2020; 60: 250–257 DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13108 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31903554
4. Cancer Society of New Zealand website https://www.cancer.org.nz/cancer/types-of-cancer/uterus-cancer/. Last accessed March 22
5. PHARMAC application tracker Search (pharmac.govt.nz)
6. MSD data on file
About MSD
For 130 years, MSD has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save and improve lives. MSD is a trade name of Merck & Co., Inc., with headquarters in
Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A. We demonstrate our commitment to patients and population health by increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, MSD continues to be at the forefront of research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten people and animals — including cancer, infectious diseases such as HIV, and emerging animal diseases — as we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world. For more information, visit www.msd-newzealand.com and connect with us on Twitter @MSDNewZealand, https://www.facebook.com/MSDNewZealand.nz/ and
https://www.instagram.com/msd_newzealand/
*Lenvatinib
For full prescribing information about lenvatinib please go to the data sheet www.medsafe.govt.nz/lenvatinib
KEYTRUDA ® (pembrolizumab) is available as a 100 mg/4 mL concentrate for solution for infusion.
Additional product information and the KEYTRUDA Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is available at www.medsafe.govt.nz.
KEYTRUDA is a Prescription Medicine and is used to treat:
a kind of skin cancer in adults called melanoma
a kind of lung cancer in adults called non-small cell lung cancer
a kind of cancer in adults and children called classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
a kind of cancer in adults called urothelial carcinoma, including bladder cancer
a kind of head and neck cancer in adults called head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
a kind of cancer in adults and children that can occur in any part of the body and is shown by a laboratory test to be microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)
a kind of cancer called colon or rectal cancer in adults that is shown by a laboratory test to bemicrosatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)
a kind of cancer in adults called renal cell carcinoma
a kind of uterine cancer called endometrial carcinoma in adult women
a kind of cancer in adults called oesophageal carcinoma
It is not known if KEYTRUDA is safe and effective in children with MSI-H or dMMR cancer of the brain or spinal cord (central nervous system cancers).
KEYTRUDA can cause harm or death to unborn babies. Talk to your doctor if you are a woman who could become pregnant and use effective contraception while you are being treated with KEYTRUDA and for at least 4 months after the last dose of KEYTRUDA. Do not breastfeed while taking KEYTRUDA.
Serious immune-mediated side effects have occurred affecting the lungs, intestines, liver, kidneys, hormone glands, blood sugar levels, skin, other organs and in transplant recipients. Some of these side effects can sometimes become life-threatening and can lead to death. These side effects may happen anytime during treatment or even after your treatment has ended and you may experience more than one side effect at the same time. Serious infusion reactions have also occurred. Very common side effects with KEYTRUDA alone include diarrhoea, nausea, itching, rash, joint pain, back pain, feeling tired, cough, patches of discoloured skin, stomach pain, decreased levels of sodium in blood. When KEYTRUDA was given in combination with chemotherapy, hair loss, vomiting, decrease in white-blood cell count, mouth sores and swelling of the lining of the digestive system (for example mouth, intestines) were also commonly reported. When KEYTRUDA was given in combination with axitinib, high blood pressure, fatigue, low levels of thyroid hormone, decreased appetite, blisters or rash on palms of your hands and soles of your feet, increase in liver enzyme levels, hoarseness, and constipation were also commonly reported. When KEYTRUDA was given in combination with lenvatinib, high blood pressure, decreased appetite, low levels of thyroid hormone, vomiting, weight loss, headache, constipation, hoarseness, urinary tract infection, stomach-area (abdominal pain), blisters or rash on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet, protein in your urine, increased in liver enzyme levels and feeling weak were also commonly reported. The most common side effects when KEYTRUDA is given alone to children include fever, vomiting, headache, stomach pain, decrease in number of red blood cells, cough, and constipation. (v37)
KEYTRUDA has risks and benefits. Talk to your doctor to see if KEYTRUDA is right for you. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, tell your doctor.
KEYTRUDA is only funded for the treatment of melanoma which has spread and cannot be removed by surgery. KEYTRUDA is unfunded for the treatment of all other cancers listed above. Ask your health professional about the cost of the medicine and any other medical fees that may apply.
