Two melanoma treatments approved for PBS listing
24 December 2019
In a boost for melanoma patients across Australia, the Federal Government’s PBAC has recommended subsidised access to immunotherapy treatment for high risk early-stage and advanced-stage melanoma patients. Two melanoma treatments are recommended by the PBAC for PBS listing - nivolumab for resected Stage III/IV (high risk) metastatic melanoma, and the combination ipilimumab and nivolumab as first-line therapy for Stage IV (advanced) melanoma.
Co-Medical Directors of Melanoma Institute Australia, Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer, said providing subsidised access to these treatments was wonderful news for melanoma patients and their families around Australia, as until now, they could only access these treatments through clinical trials or on compassionate grounds, or face costs of tens of thousands of dollars.
‘Our clinical trials have proven nivolumab is effective in preventing melanoma recurrence and its spread to other organs including the brain, lungs and liver in the majority of high risk resected Stage III patients,’ said Professor Georgina Long. ‘Our trials have also proven the effectiveness of the combination immunotherapy as front line treatment for Stage IV melanoma patients where their disease has already spread to other organs, including the brain.’
‘Providing certainty of access to these treatments via the PBS will be life-changing and life-saving, and we applaud the Federal Government for this decision,’ added Professor Richard Scolyer.
Shown in photo: Melanoma Institute Australia's Co-Medical Directors - Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer
New Test to Predict Primary Melanoma Progression
Australian researchers have played a critical role in the discovery of a potential new test to predict which early stage melanoma patients are at high risk of their disease recurring and progressing.
Community Fundraising December Wrap-Up
We are extremely grateful for our community fundraisers, who, even in this difficult time, have given up their time and effort to fundraise so we can continue to work towards our goal of zero deaths from melanoma.
Two melanoma treatments approved for PBS listing
Melanoma patients are set to benefit from subsidised access to immunotherapy treatment for high risk early-stage and advanced-stage melanoma patients.
Immunotherapy: the decade's biggest health advance
An informative article on how immunotherapy is revolutionising cancer treatment, written by Jill Margo and featured in the Australian Financial Review.
Boost to Melanoma Services in the Riverina
Melanoma patients and their families in the Riverina will benefit from strengthened and sustained melanoma services with the merger of the Amie St Clair Melanoma Trust and Melanoma Institute Australia.
Winner of the SunSafe Student Ambassador Program announced
Belmont High School at Lake Macquarie has been announced winner of the 2019 SunSafe Student Ambassador Program video competition.
Community Fundraising November Wrap-Up
It’s time again to say thank you to our amazing community fundraisers!
MIA & MPA Patient Information Evening videos now available
Videos of the sessions at the recent Patient Information Evening co-hosted by Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) and Melanoma Patients Australia (MPA) are now available for viewing.
MIA shines in poster session
MIA is well-represented in the poster sessions at the Society for Melanoma Research 2019 Congress in the USA, with four poster presentations being given by members of our translational research lab.
MIA Co-Medical Director opens SMR Congress in USA
Professor Georgina Long has today opened the Society for Melanoma Research 2019 Congress in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Highly Cited Researchers List names MIA Co-Medical Directors
MIA’s Co-Medical Directors, Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer, have both been named Highly Cited Researchers, according to the Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researchers 2019 list.
MPA and MIA collaboration
Melanoma Patients Australia (MPA) and Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) have announced a new multi-year agreement to provide enhanced support services for melanoma patients nationally.
Community Fundraising October Wrap-Up
It is time again to say thank you to our incredible community fundraisers who are helping us get closer to our goal of zero deaths from melanoma.
Promising data for advanced melanoma patients
MIA has presented promising data regarding progression-free survival rates for advanced melanoma patients at the ESMO 2019 Congress in Barcelona.
Melanoma Information Forum
We
Community Fundraising September Wrap-Up
Another month has flown by and yet again we have a host of amazing community fundraisers who generously gave up their time to help us reach our goal of zero deaths from melanoma.
Notice for Supporters to Submit to PBAC
Comments in favour of giving patients with BRAF-positive melanoma access to first-line immunotherapy need to be submitted online prior to October 9, 2019.
Tune into Jay's Longest Melanoma March Channel 10 documentary
Jay's Longest Melanoma March documentary is screening this Sunday 22 September at 1pm (AEST) on Channel 10, capturing behind the scenes of the 2000km walk, Adelaide to Sydney in 50 days. Uniting to end melanoma.
Professor Georgina Long Co -Medical Director named Women of Influence in AFR Top 100 List
We are proud to announce that our Professor Georgina
Community Fundraising August Wrap-Up
It’s been a month since we highlighted some of our incredibly generous community fundraisers. We thought we’d have a look back at August and put the spotlight on more of the wonderful people who give up their time to fundraise for MIA, so we can continue to edge closer to our goal of zero deaths from melanoma.