We are so pleased to announce that liver cancer drugs Tecentriq and Bevacizumab will receive Pharmac funding! 🎗️ Tecentriq in combination with bevacizumab will help the 70 or so New Zealanders diagnosed with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) each year.
This is a huge step forward for liver cancer patients and their families in Aotearoa, providing access to standard-of-care treatment.
Dr. Kerryn Symons, Country Medical Director at Roche New Zealand, explains: "Atezolizumab is an immunotherapy that activates the patient's own immune system to fight off the cancer, while Bevacizumab cuts off the blood-supply to the tumour, slowing down tumour growth."
Sarah Davey, CEO of the Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand, highlights the importance of understanding the link between hepatitis and liver cancer: "More than 94,000 New Zealanders are living with chronic viral hepatitis B, and Māori and Pacific people are disproportionately affected by HCC."
This funding is a crucial step in improving outcomes for those affected by liver cancer.
Read more at the Radio New Zealand article.
