Jemperli (dostarlimab) is now listed on the PBS in combination with chemotherapy as a first line treatment for women with dMMR primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.

  • Endometrial cancer is Australia’s most common reproductive cancer – more than 3,200 women are diagnosed every year

 

  • Jemperli (dostarlimab) in combination with chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) is now reimbursed by the Government on the PBS for women with a form of advanced endometrial cancer called mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) – representing ~27% of all endometrial cancer cases2,3

 

  • Until now, the only PBS reimbursed option for women with this form of dMMR endometrial cancer in first line was chemotherapy The first treatment in decades in the first line for this type of cancer.

 

  • Endometrial cancer is one of the only cancers where diagnoses are increasing but survival is decreasing – with just 1 in 5 women surviving after 5 years with advanced disease4

 

 

GSK Australia is pleased to announce Jemperli (dostarlimab) has been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in combination with chemotherapy, for the treatment of women with newly diagnosed primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer with mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR).2

This type of cancer accounts for one in four (27%) world-wide of all endometrial cancer cases and is caused by defects in the mismatch DNA repair pathway.3

 

This is the first time in decades women with this form of endometrial cancer have had subsidised access to a new treatment in the first line– with chemotherapy being their only reimbursed option previously.3

 

Endometrial cancer is Australia’s most common reproductive cancer, with over 50 women diagnosed every week on average.1 Yet its survival rate is worsening, and for those diagnosed with advanced stages of the disease, only one in five will survive beyond five years.3,4

 

Increasing age is one of the strongest risk factors for endometrial cancer and, while women are typically diagnosed around the age of 65, it can also present in women in their 30’s.5 Diagnosis is often at a late stage of the disease, as symptoms can be subtle and unusual, including abnormal vaginal bleeding, unexplained weight loss and abdominal pain.6

 

Jemperli is a type of protein designed to recognise and attach to a specific target substance in the body. Jemperli works by helping your immune system fight your cancer. It’s administered via a 30-minute infusion in hospital with chemotherapy every 3 weeks, for the first six doses, followed by every 6 weeks thereafter as a monotherapy treatment.7

 

Jemperli was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in January 2024 for these patients through Project Orbis, an international collaboration that aims to give patients faster access to cancer treatments across the globe through simultaneous submission and review by health authorities in the US, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

 

‘This represents the first meaningful treatment advance for this group of patients for many decades with advanced endometrial cancer being a cancer that needs more focus and research as the number of cases have been significantly increasing over time,” said Prof Linda Mileshkin, Director of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne.

 

Christine Cockburn, CEO of Rare Cancers Australia, emphasised “Historically, awareness of endometrial cancer has lagged behind other better-understood female cancers like breast or cervical cancer, likely because endometrial cancer is complex and often misdiagnosed as other conditions such as endometriosis.”

 

“Australian women having access to new and innovative medicines is critical to better outcomes. Therapies that we know are more targeted being subsidised on the PBS represents a move away from old-school chemo regimens, towards modernised cancer care.”

 

“With Jemperli we’re aiming to address the needs of women with overlooked and high unmet need cancers, like endometrial. The rapid approval of Jemperli by the TGA under Project Orbis and reimbursement on the PBS within 5 months demonstrates the pace at which, new and innovative medicines can be made available into Australia and is significant for patients,” said Patrick Desbiens, General Manager of GSK Australia & New Zealand.

 

“Ovarian and endometrial cancer are vital parts of our work in oncology – GSK is committed to improving the lives of women with gynaecological cancers and today marks a positive stride toward improving outcomes for these women,” he adds.

 

Patients should speak to their physician or oncologist for guidance on the best treatment approach that is right for their condition. 

 

 

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About endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer, often referred to as uterine cancer, is the most frequently diagnosed gynaecological malignancy. It originates in the endometrium, which is the inner lining of the uterus.

 

Symptoms of endometrial cancer include: post-menopausal bleeding (after one’s menstrual cycle has ceased for a year); abnormally heavy menstrual flow and spotting between periods; an odd vaginal discharge that may be watery, bloody, or have an odour; discomfort in the abdominal region; and difficulty or pain while urinating.8

 

Safety information

Like all medicines, Jemperli can cause side effects. The most commonly reported side effects with Jemperli plus chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) were low levels of thyroid hormone, rash, dry skin, fever, and increased liver enzyme levels in the blood7. Patients should speak to their healthcare professional if they get any of the side effects listed above or if they notice any other side effects.

 

Jemperli can cause serious side effects particularly due to inflammation. If you develop symptoms of inflammation, you must tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible.  For more information, visit: https://au.gsk.com/media/6469/jemperli_cmi_au.pdf 

 

 

 

 

About GSK

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com/company.

 

References:

  1. Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation. Looking closely at uterine or endometrial cancer. Available: https://rb.gy/x0bmnl. [Accessed 19 March 2024].
  2. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Recommendations made by the PBAC – Nov 2023 Available from: https://www.pbs.gov.au/pbs/industry/listing/elements/pbac-meetings/pbac-outcomes. [Accessed 19 March 2024].
  3. Mirza M et al. NEJM 2023; 388:2145-2158.
  4. The Rise of Endometrial Cancer. [Accessed March 2024] Available: https://rb.gy/0ua5xu
  5. Australian Government Cancer Australia. Endometrial Available: https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/endometrial-cancer/awareness/personal/age [Accessed 19 March 2024].
  6. Cancer Council. Uterine Cancer. Available: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/uterine-cancer. [Accessed 19 March 2024].
  7. Jemperli Consumer Medicine Information Summary, https://medsinfo.com.au/consumer-information/document/Jemperli_CMI#452982-body [Accessed 19 March 2024].
  8. Endometrial Cancer, The Royal Women’s Hospital, https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/womens-cancers-pre-cancers/endometrial-cancer [Accessed 19 March 2024].

 

 

For product information please contact GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd. 3/436 Johnston St, Abbotsford VIC 3067. ABN 47 100 162 481. For information on GSK products or to report an adverse event involving a GSK product, please contact GSK or Medical Information on 1800 033 109. JEMPERLI (dostarlimab) Trademarks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies ©2024 GSK group of companies or its licensor. Date of approval: APRIL 2024. NP-AU-DST-PRSR-240002