CADTH recommends that Lonsurf® in combination with bevacizumab be reimbursed for a subset of mCRC patients in Canada
Canada’s Drug and Health Technology Agency (CADTH) Expert Review Committee (pERC) issued its initial recommendation last month to reimburse Lonsurf® (trifluridine-tipiracil) in combination with bevacizumab for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who have already received OR are not candidates for available therapies. These include: fluoropyrimidine (5-FU)-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-based chemotherapy, anti-VEGF targeted therapies (such as bevacizumab), and anti-EGFR targeted therapies (such as cetuximab or panitumumab) if RAS wild-type.
CADTH’s recommendation was based on findings from the SUNLIGHT clinical trial, which showed that the combination of Lonsurf® and bevacizumab in this mCRC patient population resulted in longer survival compared to patients who received Lonsurf® alone. Canadian clinicians with experience treating patients with this combination provided their input to support the reimbursement recommendation.
Colorectal Cancer Canada also provided input on behalf of patients to support the reimbursement of this drug combination, underlining the strong need for equitable access to effective drug therapies for patients across Canada. Currently, Lonsurf® alone is reimbursed as a single drug therapy only in Quebec. This means that currently patients with mCRC who have exhausted all other treatment options and opt for Lonsurf® therapy must pay out of pocket.
CADTH will revise their initial recommendation based on clinician and patient group feedback, and a final recommendation will be made in coming weeks. Thank you to all patients and caregivers who participated in the online survey that was used for this submission – a success!
