Lurbinectedin (Zepzelca)

Key Messages

• Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) recommends that Zepzelca should be reimbursed by public drug plans for the treatment of adult patients with stage III or metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) who have progressed on or after platinum-containing therapy for a time-limited period while additional evidence is generated and if certain conditions are met.
• Please note that time-limited reimbursement refers to temporary reimbursement by the drug programs while additional evidence is generated and submitted for reassessment (i.e., this does not refer to the length of treatment or number of cycles administered).
• Zepzelca should only be covered to treat adult patients whose disease has relapsed or who have refractory stage III or metastatic SCLC, have received 1 prior line of platinum-based therapy, and are in good performance status. Zepzelca should not be used for patients with active (untreated) central nervous system disease, who are pregnant, and for those who received more than 1 prior line of therapy.
• Zepzelca should only be reimbursed if prescribed by a clinician with expertise in managing SCLC, treatment should be delivered in outpatient specialized oncology clinics with expertise in systemic therapy delivery, and the cost of Zepzelca is reduced.