Triple-negative breast cancer accounts for 10-15 % of all types of breast cancer and is one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. It is characterised by a higher risk of recurrence, and treatment options are limited. Therefore, ensuring patients' access to effective therapy is very important.
Based on the results of the conducted health technology assessment, the State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine recommends including pembrolizumab (trade name Keytruda) in the lists of medicinal products procured with state funds using the managed access agreements procedure.
Pembrolizumab is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with high-risk early triple-negative breast cancer in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy (at the initial stages) and subsequent use as monotherapy after surgical interventions.
The results of the analysis show that patients who received pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy compared with the standard regimen (placebo + chemotherapy) demonstrated better treatment outcomes. In particular:
- 13,6 % higher rate of complete pathological response (absence of cancer cells after treatment)
- 35 % lower risk of progression, recurrence or death
- Overall survival at 5 years is higher by 4,9%
HTA recommendations are important for providing pembrolizumab to patients with early triple-negative breast cancer at the expense of state funds. It is the HTA results that inform the process of making evidence-based decisions in the field of healthcare.
The full text of the state HTA conclusion on pembrolizumab can be found on the Center's website at the link https://surl.lu/zxnuta
