Government Funds Genetic Test And Treatment For Kids’ Cancer

Anyone touched by cancer is aware that treatments against the dreaded disease can be pricey, but the Federal Government began funding Vitrakvi (Larotrectinib) on July 1.

For the first time, Aussie children aged from one month diagnosed with NTRK (neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase) positive tumours will receive government funded access to the medicine and the matching genetic test enabling the underlying cause of multiple NTRK gene fusion cancers to be treated.

Until now, the diagnostic test alone would cost parents up to $2000, add to that a cost of around $100,000 per year for the medication and you have a treatment that many families would be unable to afford.

Eligible patients will now pay just $6.80 (on concession) or $42.50 (general patients) each month for Vitrakvi.

NTRK fusion is a genetic change occurring for no apparent reason, acting as an ignition switch for tumour growth anywhere in the body.

Vitrakvi works by blocking the protein that is produced following the fusion process, thereby halting tumour development.

Associate Professor Jordan Hansford, clinical oncologist and children’s brain cancer specialist, welcomed the news.

“Cancer is fundamentally a disease of the DNA, and cancer treatment is increasingly focused on what’s driving the cancer, rather than where the cancer is located in the body,” Professor Hansford said.

“We know that genetic information holds the key to optimal treatment, which is why this two-fold funding approach to testing and treatment is so important.

“It allows us to get the right medicine to the right patient at the right time.”

Professor Hansford said ‘gene fusions’ were responsible for an estimated one-in-five cancers and that ‘the impact of affordable access to genetic testing and targeted treatment can be profound for patients.”

Three families learn their child has cancer each day and it remains the number one cause of death in Australian children.

Precision medicine, such as Vitrikvi, offers great potential for anyone with cancer and genetic testing gives doctors more detail about what is driving the cancer and can guide treatment approaches to target the cause.

Vitrakvi is also used in the treatment of adults with NTRK fusion positive advanced mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (a form of salivary gland cancer) and secretory breast cancer.

Medicare funding has also been provided for the genetic testing required to identify NTRK gene fusion, an essential step before treatment with Vitrakvi can be considered

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