Is anyone else having problems getting Lu-177 PSMA funding from AXA in the UK?

[Tonybee70]

Hi,

AXA have a code for Lu-177 PSMA therapy but still refuse funding. It is at odds with AXA's advertising. In refusing funding AXA cites that 'it is not widely used in the UK'. Of course it isn't as the cohort to which it is applicable is a small number of people and only a small number of hospitals have radio nuclear facilities to handle it!

Anyone else having problems too?

[rhbishop2]

I am with AXA and they have approved two PSMA scans at the LOC in Harley Street. That was the way they found my latest spinal met to which I’ve now had Cyberknife treatment.

[Tonybee70 in reply to rhbishop2]

Thanks for your reply, RH Bishop. AXA have approved PSMA PET scans which show that I am a good candidate for Lu-177 PSMA therapy. However, AXA seem to be stuck on the 'it is not widely used in the UK' plus very attached to the Novartis LU-177 drug (which I am told by my nuclear medicine consultant is not available in the UK as Novartis doesn't have a contract with anyone in the UK). The Curium LU-177 PSMA therapy is available in the UK under special licence. That's what people use currently and AXA has a problem with that despite their advertising on their website about providing cover for drugs that kill cancer cells. So I'm feeling frustrated with AXA as my prostate cancer is active and growing.

[Benkaymel in reply to Tonybee70]

Have you had an FDG-PET scan as well? This should find the same tumours as the PSMA-PET to confirm it's effectiveness. Any that only show on the FDG will not respond to Lu-177.

There is of course the option to pay for the Lu but I believe that's between £12k & £20k a shot and you may need up to 6 shots.

[Tonybee70 in reply to Benkaymel]

Thanks for replying, Benkaymel. I don't think that I've had a FDG-PET scan. I have definitely had several PSMA PET scans which have shown my cancer to be PSMA-avid. So Lu-177 should work well. The FDG point is interesting as I am currently concerned about repopulation, i.e. if the PSMA cells are dead there is more space and food for the cancer cells that do not respond to Lu-177. I was wondering how those cells can be detected. Thanks.

[j-o-h-n]

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j-o-h-n Monday 07/10/2023 6:23 PM DST