Immunotherapy Atezolizumab (Tecentriq) Metastatic Triple Negative Experience
I just wanted to share my experiences with accessing the immunotherapy drug Atezolizumab (Tecentriq) that is currently not on the PBS (but hopefully will be soon!).
In 2017 I was treated for TNBC stage 3 breast and lymph nodes, had 3 amazing years of good health, family and travel, then in March 2020 found an enlarged lymph node in my neck, same side as the BC. It took several ultrasounds (originally diagnosed as a vein) and then a biopsy to find out if was a small 1cm met tumor.
I was referred to a trial at Peter Mac, but after testing (PDL1 Positive) found out the tumor was too small to qualify. Then referred to a different hospital for the same trial, waited 4 week for the tumor to grow only to find out the same thing, however was given the option of self funding through the private system. I had at each hospital ask about this, and somewhat annoyed that I was given a rough cost per treatment, not the compassionate deal that the pharmaceutical company was providing - $25K for 5 treatments, then no cost thereafter provide there is a response to treatment.
Referred back to my original oncologist who completed all the paper work to the pharmaceutical company (Roche) and my private health insurance, who would be covering my private hospital day stay costs.
I was waiting anxiously for my first treatment bill from Roche when my Oncologist called me to say my Private Health Insurance had agreed to pay the full costs (except the hospital excess) of the Tecentriq drug! Needless to say I was overwhelmed by both my private health insurance and my oncologist who completed all the paperwork.
I've now had my first full round of treatment (3 weeks on, 1 week off) and can already feel changes in my neck. I don't know how long I will be on the drugs for, or how my body will react, but think it is important for others who may be in the same situation to know that if a drug is not yet available on the PBS, there still maybe ways of accessing it.
Just as a side note, the trial I was referred to was stopped as it was using Tecentriq with Taxol and did not show any benefits to Taxol on its own. The previous trial to this for Tecentriq was with Abraxane which had shown a benefit - this is the combination I am on.
In 2017 I was treated for TNBC stage 3 breast and lymph nodes, had 3 amazing years of good health, family and travel, then in March 2020 found an enlarged lymph node in my neck, same side as the BC. It took several ultrasounds (originally diagnosed as a vein) and then a biopsy to find out if was a small 1cm met tumor.
I was referred to a trial at Peter Mac, but after testing (PDL1 Positive) found out the tumor was too small to qualify. Then referred to a different hospital for the same trial, waited 4 week for the tumor to grow only to find out the same thing, however was given the option of self funding through the private system. I had at each hospital ask about this, and somewhat annoyed that I was given a rough cost per treatment, not the compassionate deal that the pharmaceutical company was providing - $25K for 5 treatments, then no cost thereafter provide there is a response to treatment.
Referred back to my original oncologist who completed all the paper work to the pharmaceutical company (Roche) and my private health insurance, who would be covering my private hospital day stay costs.
I was waiting anxiously for my first treatment bill from Roche when my Oncologist called me to say my Private Health Insurance had agreed to pay the full costs (except the hospital excess) of the Tecentriq drug! Needless to say I was overwhelmed by both my private health insurance and my oncologist who completed all the paperwork.
I've now had my first full round of treatment (3 weeks on, 1 week off) and can already feel changes in my neck. I don't know how long I will be on the drugs for, or how my body will react, but think it is important for others who may be in the same situation to know that if a drug is not yet available on the PBS, there still maybe ways of accessing it.
Just as a side note, the trial I was referred to was stopped as it was using Tecentriq with Taxol and did not show any benefits to Taxol on its own. The previous trial to this for Tecentriq was with Abraxane which had shown a benefit - this is the combination I am on.
