The Netherlands Healthcare Institute has approved reimbursement of radioembolization for patients with colorectal liver metastases who have failed prior treatment. The institute based its decision on the clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of SIR-Spheres (Sirtex) Y-90 resin microspheres for treating this patient group, a press release from Sirtex says.
Sirtex has announced that the Netherlands Healthcare Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland [ZIN]), has agreed to reimburse radioembolization for patients with colorectal liver metastases who have failed, or are intolerant to prior chemotherapy. The ZIN based its decision on the clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of SIR-Spheres (Sirtex) Y-90 resin microspheres for treating this patient group.
It was also announced that The Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (Integraal Kankercentrum Nederland [IKNL]), will manage a new patient registry to collect and analyse treatment data on the first 500 patients with colorectal liver metastases who receive radioembolization under the new reimbursement programme. The treatment will be made available to patients in The Netherlands through 10 specialist centres.
Colorectal cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in The Netherlands, with 13,900 new patients annually; it is also the country’s second most common cause of cancer mortality, accounting for approximately 5,200 deaths each year. When colorectal cancer metastasizes elsewhere in the body, it most often spreads to the liver. These liver metastases will eventually cause the death of the majority of patients.
“This announcement is very good news for the many patients in The Netherlands with liver metastases from colorectal cancer who have failed chemotherapy and biological treatments,” said Marnix Lam, professor of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center, Utrecht. “We are pleased that SIR-Spheres will now be available to more patients at leading specialist centres across The Netherlands. This decision affirms the strong evidence of efficacy and safety for SIRSpheres in this patient group” said Nigel Lange, CEO of Sirtex Medical Europe, whose parent company, Sirtex Medical Limited, developed and continues to study new uses of SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres in the treatment of liver tumours.
