'Cabometyx' for ncRCC, failed to nego for expanded reimb

Novartis' 'Leqvio pre-filled syringe' entered negotiations with the NHIS

Product photo of Cabometyx

The anticancer drug Cabometyx tab (cabozantinib, Ipsen Korea), a treatment of kidney cancer, did not pass the expanded reimbursement during negotiations with the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).

 

Cabometyx tab gatherered attention following reimbursement for the first-line treatment of patients with non-clear renal cell carcinoma (ncRCC), which account for 10-15% of all kidney cancer.

 

However, it will take more time due to the current failed negotiation.

 

On May 26, the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) announced on its website that 'Cabometyx' had failed to negotiate.

 

This drug was determined to have appropriateness for expanded reimbursement by the Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee (DREC) of the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) in February, provided that the company accepted a price below the evaluated amount.

 

After that, the pharmaceutical company accepted a price below the evaluated amount, and drug price negotiations withthe NHIS have been ongoing since March.

 

Cabometyx was initially listed for reimbursement in February 2019 as a monotherapy for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma who had previously received VEGF-targeted therapy.

 

As of March 2022, it was reimbursable in combination therapy with the immuno-oncology drug nivolumab (Opdivo) in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

 

The company continued to push for further expanded reimbursement.

 

In August of last year, the Cancer Disease Review Committee (CDRC) reviewed its use as a 'monotherapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) who have previously received VEGF-targeted therapy or whose disease has progressed during treatment, and who are ineligible for or refractory to radioactive iodine therapy (RAI)' and 'first-line monotherapy in patients with non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma.' However, reimbursement criteria were not established at that time.

 

However, in February of this year, DREC approved the ncRCC indication.

 

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) accounts for 80-85% of kidney cancers, with the remaining 10-15% being ncRCC.

 

Despite ncRCC having a poorer treatment response compared to clear cell, there are currently few drugs covered for reimbursement.

 

However, Cabometyx has emerged as a targeted therapy, gaining attention as a next-generation treatment option.

 

The problem is the lack of reimbursement.

 

With the breakdown of these negotiations, it is expected to take more time for Cabometyx to obtain reimbursement for ncRCC.

 

Meanwhile, the NHIS announced that it is in negotiations with Novartis for 'Leqvio pre-filled syringe.' This drug, intended for the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia, passed the DREC in April.