New Funding Of Treatment Will Help Many Of The Over 300 New Zealanders Diagnosed With Liver Cancer Each Year

New Zealanders now have funded access to a global standard of care treatment for a form of liver cancer, Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), which, unlike many other cancers has a rapidly increasing rate of cancer mortality in New Zealand[1],[2].

From 1 March 2025, TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) in combination with bevacizumab, will be funded for eligible patients within the public system for the first time.

Globally, liver cancer is one of the least-survivable cancers, however, HCC - the main type of liver cancer affecting adults - is treatable. The best outcomes for patients are achievable with an early diagnosis.

Provided by Roche, the funding of TECENTRIQ will assist about 70 individuals diagnosed with advanced HCC each year[3]. When used in combination with bevacizumab, TECENTRIQ provides an alternative treatment option for patients that may help them live well for longer.

Roche New Zealand Country Medical Director Kerryn Symons welcomed the funding of TECENTRIQ: “We are pleased that this treatment, which has been the standard of care in many countries for years, is now funded for New Zealanders. With liver cancer being one of the few cancers where mortality rates are on the rise, this treatment can now be accessed by patients throughout Aotearoa which is a great outcome.”

TECENTRIQ in combination with bevacizumab has transformed HCC treatment globally. These two treatments combine to treat the cancer in two ways - TECENTRIQ is an immunotherapy that activates the immune system to recognise, attack and destroy cancer cells - and bevacizumab is anti-angiogenic, which slows cancer growth by starving tumours of their blood supply.

With liver cancer being one of the least-survivable cancers in New Zealand, Professor Ed Gane, Hepatologist and Professor of Medicine at the University of Auckland believes it is important for New Zealanders to have access to better treatment options that are available overseas.

“Patients require this treatment combination when the HCC is unable to be removed by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body. Clinical trial results have shown that this treatment combination helped patients to live for longer than other medicine[4]. Having this option more readily accessible for New Zealanders is a positive step for patients, their families and those that care for them.”

It is not widely understood that the main cause of HCC is chronic liver disease, which often goes undetected and silently progresses to HCC. Both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, diseases that are endemic in Aotearoa, can progress to HCC5.

“More than 94,000 New Zealanders are living with chronic viral hepatitis B of whom more than 200 will die each year from liver cancer. Every death is preventable by earlier diagnosis, and follow-up. Hepatitis B is responsible for almost half of HCC cases, while Hepatitis C is responsible for approximately one-third[5],” says Sarah Davey, Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand Chief Executive Officer.

“Our Māori and Pacific people are disproportionately affected by HCC as these populations have a higher prevalence of Hepatitis B and C, obesity and diabetes, which are all underlying risk factors for chronic liver disease. Māori patients have a lower survival rate with 31% of Māori patients more likely to die of liver cancer than non-Māori[6], and delayed diagnosis of HCC is more common for Māori and Pacific people. This is due to lower rates of diagnosis and management of the underlying liver disease5. With 90% of chronic liver disease cases being preventable[6], these are statistics that need to be turned around,” says Davey.

The Hepatitis Foundation provides freely accessible information and support as well as a surveillance programme for people at risk of HCC. “With proper monitoring and support, we can help to prevent the progress of liver disease and reduce the rates of HCC.” says Davey

Professor Gane adds: “All adult Māori, Pasifika and Asian New Zealanders should be tested for Hepatitis B. People most at risk of Hepatitis C are those who have ever injected drugs, received a transfusion before 1992, had a tattoo outside licenced parlour, been in prison or received health care in developing countries - and should be tested for the disease. Diagnosis of hepatitis is a simple finger prick test and treatment is free, safe and effective.”

Roche’s holistic approach is focused on helping to stop and even reverse the cycle of chronic liver disease and to one day cure HCC.

“We believe that cutting-edge diagnosis and treatment are key, along with working in partnership with liver specialists, researchers and patient organisations to raise awareness of the disease, prevent progression and improve outcomes for patients,” adds Symons.

Talk to your health professional about your risk of liver disease. People living with hepatitis B should contact The Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand to find out if they are eligible for HCC surveillance. If you have HCC, ask your doctor if funded TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) treatment is suitable for you.

1. Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand Cancer Data Web Tool https://tewhatuora.shinyapps.io/cancer-web-tool/
2. Clough S et al. The past, present and future of liver cancer control for Māori. NZ Med J 135(1567):91-100, 2022
3. Pharmac. Decision to fund medicines for liver and ovarian cancers, and to award Principal Supply Status for bevacizumab to Vegzelma. 12 February 2025 https://pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations-and-decisions/2025-02-decision-to-fund-medicines-for-liver-and-ovarian-cancers-and-to-award-principal-supply-status-for-bevacizumab-to-vegzelma
4. Tecentriqinf.pdf https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/datasheet/t/Tecentriqinf.pdf
5. Increasing burden of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in New Zealand— the need for better surveillance. Schauer C et al. NZMJ 22 May 2020, Vol 133 No 1515
6. Gurney J et al. Disparities in cancer-specific survival between Māori and non- Māori New Zealanders, 2007-2016

Additional information about TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab)

Tecentriq® (atezolizumab) 1200mg/20mL and 840mg/14ml and Tecentriq SC (atezolizumab 1875 mg/15 mL solution for subcutaneous injection) are Prescription Medicines used for early (has not spread to other parts of the body) and advanced or metastatic (has spread to other parts of the body) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), extensive stage small-cell lung cancer, advanced or metastatic urothelial (bladder and urinary system) cancer, advanced or metastatic triple negative breast cancer and unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Ask your doctor if Tecentriq is right for you.

Tecentriq is funded for patients with unresectable HCC and locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC that have previously received chemotherapy who meet defined criteria. A prescription charge and other medical fees may apply. Tecentriq is not funded for urothelial cancer, breast cancer and other lung cancer indications. Tecentriq SC is not funded for any indication. Ask your health professional about the cost of the medicine and other fees that may apply.

Use only as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your healthcare professional. For more information about Tecentriq:

talk to your health professional; or

visit medsafe.govt.nz for Tecentriq Consumer Medicine Information; or visit cancertreatments.co.nz or call Roche on 0800 276 243.

Tecentriq has risks and benefits.

Possible common side effects include: loss of appetite; diarrhoea; shortness of breath; itching of the skin; dry skin; rash; nausea; fever; chills; vomiting; difficulty swallowing; flu-like symptoms; nasal congestion; stomach, back, muscle, bone, joint or throat pain; cough; sore throat; tiredness; common cold; headaches; being short of breath when exercising; urinary tract infection; lung infection; dizziness, light-headedness, looking pale, fainting; bleeding or bruising; mouth ulcers and/or cold sores; constipation; numbness or weakness of the arms and legs; high blood pressure; hair loss; a change in the way things taste.

Tell your doctor if: you have immune system problems such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or lupus; you have inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis); you have liver problems, such as hepatitis; you have thyroid problems; you are taking other medicines; you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes; you are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment with Tecentriq.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following: inflammation of the lungs (new or worsening cough, shortness of breath and chest pain); inflammation of the liver (yellowing of skin or eyes, nausea, vomiting, bleeding or bruising, dark urine, and stomach pain); inflammation of the intestines (diarrhoea, blood in stools, and stomach pain); inflammation of the thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands (tiredness, weight loss, weight gain, changes in mood or behaviour, visual disturbances, increased sensitivity to cold or heat, slow or rapid heart rate, hair loss, constipation, headache, and dizziness); type 1 diabetes mellitus (feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual, need to urinate more often, weight loss, and feeling tired); inflammation of the brain or spinal cord (neck stiffness, headache, fever, chills, vomiting, eye sensitivity to light, confusion and sleepiness); inflammation of the nerves (muscle weakness, numbness or tingling in hands and feet); inflammation of the pancreas (abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting); inflammation of the heart muscle (shortness of breath, feeling tired, irregular heart beat or chest pain); inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (chest pain, difficulty and/or painful breathing, pounding/racing heart beat, fainting and/or light-headedness, swelling of legs or abdomen, pale and/or clammy skin); inflammation of the kidneys (dark and/or frothy urine, high blood pressure, swelling to face, feet, legs and hands; inflammation of muscles (muscle pain or stiffness or skin rash); infusion reactions (fever, chills, shortness of breath and flushing - intravenous formulation only), local reaction at the injection site (subcutaneous formulation only), excessive activation of the immune system (fever, swollen lymph nodes, skin rash, yellowing of skin and eyes, coughing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea headache, changes in vision, weakness), paralysis of the facial muscles, inflammation of the spinal cord (muscle weakness in the legs and arms, numbness, problems with mobility, the bladder and bowel) or any inflammation of the skin.

Panel dated 18 February 2025. All trademarks mentioned herein are protected by law. Roche Products (New Zealand) Limited, Auckland.

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