← The record

ErlotinibErlotinib Cipla

Not recommended OncologyAuthority RequiredFirst-line line

Initial and continuing first-line treatment, as monotherapy, of locally advanced (stage IIIB) or metastatic (stage IV) non-squamous or not otherwise specified (NOS) non-small cell lung cancer in patients with evidence of activating mutation(s) of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in tumour material, who do not have progressive disease.

6
Submissions
6 resub
2006–13
On the record
$15k–75k
ICER range
5 sourced ICERs · 2006–2012
Not modelled
Cost basis

Decisions on record

5 decisions
  • Meeting Mar 2014 Not recommended Tarceva® Roche Products Pty Limited Non-small cell lung cancer: - first-line treatment of patients with advanced (Stage IIIB) or metastatic (Stage IV) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating EGFR mutations. - maintenance therapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small ce no PSD
  • Meeting Jul 2013 Deferred Lung cancer
  • Meeting Jul 2012 Not recommended Lung cancer
  • Meeting Mar 2008 Recommended Lung Cancer no PSD
  • Meeting Nov 2006 Not recommended Treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy.

Access path

6 submissions · public record
  1. TGA registered · Erlotinib Cipla

    TGA label narrower than the PBS population

  2. Mar 2006
    Recommended

    vs docetaxel and best supportive care

  3. Nov 2006
    Not recommended

    high and uncertain cost effectiveness ratios compared with best supportive care, doubt about claims for…

  4. ↻ resubmitted
    Nov 2007
    Recommended

    Comparator changed: best supportive care (BSC) → best supportive care

  5. Nov 2007
    Recommended

    Comparator changed: best supportive care (BSC) → best supportive care

  6. Jul 2012
    Not recommended

    ICER dropped $75,000 → $45,000 (-40%)

  7. Jul 2013
    Not recommended

    Comparator changed: platinum-based doublet chemotherapy (no EGFR gene mutation testing) →…

RecommendedDeferredNot recommended

Cost-effectiveness

5 sourced ICERs · 2006–2012

ICER not stated in this PSD; economic model details not presented in the public summary.

The PBAC considered that the re-modelling exercise with converging curves for survival gain was more plausible than the initial analysis in the submission. However, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per life-year gained was unacceptably high. PBAC · 2007
ICER uncertain ×2ICER / price too high ×3Economic model disputed ×3

Decision context

PopulationAdults with locally advanced (stage IIIB) or metastatic (stage IV) non-squamous or NOS non-small cell lung cancer with evidence of activating mutation(s) of the EGFR gene, WHO/ECOG performance status 0 to 2, with no evidence of progressive disease.

Submission history

6 entries
DecidedOutcomeComparatorICEREvidence
Jul 2013 Not recommended platinum-based doublet chemotherapy (carboplatin and gemcitabine); gefitinib RCT · PFS
Jul 2012 Not recommended platinum-based doublet chemotherapy (no EGFR gene mutation testing) $15k–45k RCT · PFS
Nov 2007 Recommended best supportive care $45k–75k RCT · OS
Nov 2007 Recommended best supportive care $45k–75k RCT · OS
Nov 2006 Not recommended best supportive care (BSC) $45k–75k RCT, indirect comparison · OS, PFS, ORR
Mar 2006 Recommended docetaxel and best supportive care $45k–75k RCT, indirect comparisons · OS, PFS

Clinical evidence

Trials cited in the PSDs · ClinicalTrials.gov
TrialPhaseNPrimary outcomeStatus
EURTAC Ph 3 174 Progression Free-survival completed
TORCH Ph 3 760 overall survival completed
TAILOR Ph 3 850 Overall Survival unknown

Codependent tests

MSAC
ServiceBiomarkerMSAC outcomeYear
EGFR gene mutation testing for erlotinib eligibility in NSCLC EGFR activating mutation supported with conditions 2012
EGFR mutation testing in locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC EGFR mutation supported 2020
Small gene panel testing for NSCLC EGFR, ALK, ROS1, MET exon 14, BRAF, KRAS, RET, NTRK1, NTRK2, NTRK3 supported 2022

Similar precedents

By decision profile

Regulatory · TGA

Label narrower than PBS population — PBAC restricts to non-squamous/NOS histology and first-line only; TGA label includes all NSCLC histologies and multiple treatment lines.