Lymphoma Canada celebrates Health Canada’s Approval of ADCETRIS (Brentuximab Vedotin)
A new form of treatment is on the horizon for Canadians suffering from relapsed or refractory Hodgkin Lymphona (HL) and Systemic Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (sALCL).
Lymphoma Canada celebrates the February 1, 2013 announcement that the drug ADCETRIS, manufactured by Seattle Genetics,was issued a Notice of Compliance with conditions (NOC/c) from Health Canada. Sue Robson, Executive Director of Lymphoma Canada, is advocating for the drug on behalf of patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. “Health Canada’s approval of ADCETRIS is the first step in getting patients access to this important therapy,” said Robson. “Lymphoma Canada is committed to working with Canada’s provincial governments to ensure that appropriate patients have access to this new therapy.”
ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) is the first in a new class of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) to be approved in Canada. The treatment initially received accelerated approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2011, and was granted conditional marketing authorization by the European Commission in October 2012 before receiving approval from Health Canada in February 2013. The NOC/c authorized the marketing of ADCETRIS for two lymphoma indications: the treatment of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) after failure of autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or after failure of at least two multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not ASCT candidates, and the treatment of patients with systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) after failure of at least one multi-agent chemotherapy regimen.
Conditions associated with the NOC/c include a requirement that Seattle Genetics conduct clinical trials to confirm the anticipated benefit of ADCETRIS in approved patients. Dr. Joseph M. Connors, M.D., FRCPC, Clinical Director at the Center for Lymphoid Cancer at the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver, Canada and member of LC’s scientific advisory board, is looking ahead beyond the trials to the potential of the treatment for approved lymphoma patients. “The approval of ADCETRIS in Canada marks a significant milestone for patients with relapsed HL or sALCL who have had few new treatment options in several decades.”
As part of Lymphoma Canada’s future advocacy efforts, Robson will be focused on getting provinces across Canada on board to fund ADCETRIS. She will be meeting with physicians to learn about their experience with the drug and will also submit feedback on behalf of the lymphoma community.
LC is committed to ensuring equitable access to best treatments for lymphoma patients across Canada.
Watch the CTV Windsor interview with Dr. Mangel and Brett Severin
