Dual Immunotherapy Drugs Added To Australia’s Public Health Program

A combination treatment that has been called a “game changer” for mesothelioma victims in Australia has now been added to the nation’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). From next month, any of the 700 to 800 Australians who are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year will be able to access a course of immunotherapy drugs, called Opdivo and Yervoy, for $41, a medicine that currently costs as much as $130,000 per course of treatment.

In a study of 793 previously untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients that tested positive for PD-L1 396 were given OPDIVO + YERVOY. 397 were given platinum-based chemotherapy.

Clinical Trial Results: In the Primary Analysis (minimum follow-up of 29.3 months)

OPDIVO + YERVOY reduced the risk of dying by 21% compared to platinum-based chemotherapy.

At 17.1 months, half the people were alive on OPDIVO + YERVOY. At 14.9 months, half the people were alive on platinum-based chemotherapy. Read more.

Opdivo and Yervoy have been approved for treatment of malignant mesothelioma in the United States, the European Union, and Australia.

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Since 1983, Nass Cancelliere has assisted thousands of asbestos victims from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and have collected over $100,000,000 in compensation for its clients. The firm has also been instrumental in changing many of the laws in Pennsylvania to help asbestos victims.

View a sampling of our jury verdicts and asbestos settlements.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or other asbestos related illness, speak with an attorney at Nass Cancelliere. Contact us online here or call 215-546-8200 to speak with an attorney directly.