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Kidney cancer is usually diagnosed late and therefore difficult to treat. From March 1, a new drug used in the treatment of kidney cancer containing pazopanib was added to the list of reimbursed drugs. Prof. dr. hab. n. med. Cezary Szczylik explains the importance of a new drug for kidney cancer for patients.
So fartreatment of kidney cancerin Poland has been based on only one drug, containingsunitinb , which is effective, but not in all patients could be used. A new drug for kidney cancer containingpazopanibhas a different toxicity profile. It is an offer for many patients who, apart from disseminated kidney cancer, have two or three comorbidities (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, hematopoietic system diseases). The drug containing pazopanib has been reimbursed in accordance with the Notice of the Minister of He alth, effective from March 1, 2013, under the drug program "Treatment of kidney cancer".
Treatment of kidney cancer in Poland
Interview with prof. dr. hab. n. med. Cezary Szczylik, Head of the Oncology Clinic of the Military Medical Institute in Warsaw, President of the Experimental and Clinical Oncology Foundation, Member of the Board and Program Council of the Polish Kidney Cancer Group.
- What does pazopanib drug reimbursement mean for kidney cancer patients?
This is very good news for patients with disseminated kidney cancer. Until now, we had only one effective drug containing sunitinib in our first-line treatment. The new drug with pazopanib has a different toxicity profile, more favorable for many patients who, in addition to disseminated kidney cancer, have two or three comorbidities (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, hematopoietic diseases). From the patient's point of view, reimbursement of pazopanib means the possibility of treatment with a drug with a different safety profile and, at the same time, effectiveness comparable to sunitinib - the only drug that has been on our market so far.
- The patient can therefore count on a better choice of therapy. Does this translate into the quality of life with the disease?
The new drug has a huge impact on the quality of life of patients. This is indicated by the recent comparative studies of both drugs. As much as 70 percent of patients indicated that they would like to be treated with pazopanib. Fordoctors, this is obviously an important suggestion. However, we cannot be guided solely by the patient's expectations as to the preferred method of treatment, because we would turn medicine on its head. The physician decides whether the patient should be treated with pazopanib or sunitinib, taking into account the good of the individual patient. Both drugs can be used, depending on the burden with which this particular patient comes to us.
- What does the refund of a new drug mean for doctors?
The doctor now has the option of extending the therapeutic panel of drugs that can be used in this diagnosis, and thus - the possibility of individualizing the treatment process and achieving better therapeutic effects.
- The kidney cancer treatment program in Poland is developing dynamically. What are the further plans for treating patients with this diagnosis?
There are new studies in the world (the so-called phase three, i.e. at the highest level of evidence), which indicate that drugs such as sunitinib or pazopanib should be followed by one of the new drugs of the same group (the so-called kinase inhibitors). ). So we should use three lines of treatment, not two. Thanks to this, it will even be possible to double the lifetime of our patients. The Polish Kidney Cancer Group is already preparing an appropriate document on this matter.