Zanubrutinib Bests Bendamustine-Rituximab in Previously Untreated CLL/SLL

[Yalokin]

The overall response rate was 94.6% in the zanubrutinib arm and 85.3% in the bendamustine-rituximab arm. The median duration of response was not reached and 30.6 months, respectively.

More info here:cancertherapyadvisor.com/ho...

[LuzyCLL]

I hope to be able to have zanubrutinib rather than V + O. It looks like Medicare will cover it in 2025. There are always the drug company programs for free treatment meds too.

[CycleWonder in reply to LuzyCLL]

Zanubrutinib is covered by all Medicare drug plans now. The cost may be prohibitive until 2025.

[JerrysGirl3 in reply to CycleWonder]

$13,000+/month 😳

[CycleWonder in reply to JerrysGirl3]

It shouldn’t cost that much now for someone on Medicare but it would cost more than $2000 a year. I will likely need treatment prior to then but I’m glad it will help by 2025.

[JerrysGirl3 in reply to CycleWonder]

That's the real price of it without insurance. I have private insurance and they paid the whole thing. I wouldn't be able to afford it otherwise. Terrible !!

[CycleWonder in reply to JerrysGirl3]

Hoping for a trial that provides anesthesia for the BMBs.

[patagozon in reply to CycleWonder]

I'll be having my first BMB in the next week or two. Looking forward to seeing if it's as bad as they say. Have you had one yet?

[CycleWonder in reply to patagozon]

No but someone described it to me! I don’t like needles anyway.

I hope it goes well.

[patagozon in reply to CycleWonder]

I'm okay with needles as long as I don't look at them when they're drawing blood. I think I will ask for anesthesia and a blindfold.

[patagozon in reply to CycleWonder]

I had my BMB on Wednesday. I got lucky and it was pretty painless. The lidocaine anesthesia shots were the only things I felt. I was sore for a couple of days afterward and then everything was fine.

[JerrysGirl3 in reply to patagozon]

What is BMB?

[LeoPa in reply to JerrysGirl3]

Bone marrow biopsy

[JerrysGirl3 in reply to LeoPa]

Thank you

[JerrysGirl3 in reply to patagozon]

I have not, but good luck to you and may it find something or nothing!

[Big_Dee in reply to patagozon]

Hello patagozon

It has been my experience that the thought of a bone marrow biopsy is much worse that the actual BMB and is not near as bad as it sounds. I had mine with a local, did not want to wait a month to get into operating room for anesthesia. Pick someone for your BMB with experience at performing BMB. Good going and blessings.

[LuzyCLL in reply to JerrysGirl3]

Try applying for a grant from the pharmaceutical company

[JerrysGirl3 in reply to LuzyCLL]

I don't need it for me. I'm really really lucky my insurance covers the whole deal. I was just commenting on the monthly cost of the drug itself so if Medicare pays out $2000/ yr that's great ! Otherwise it could cost almost $175,000/yr which is really outrageous ! Before I knew that, I was going to go to the pharmaceutical company for help. I can't imagine someone actually having that kind of money to pay for one drug!!

[Edalv in reply to JerrysGirl3]

May I ask what Medicare plan D do you have..? Currently I don’t take much medication so I signed for the cheapest one I could find. But I know I will have to change once I need treatment… thanks 🙏

[JerrysGirl3 in reply to Edalv]

I don't have Medicare. Fortunately my husband is still working and has government insurance - Empire/ United Health Care and they are great. Will keep them as my Medicare Part B after he retires. Sorry I can't be of help. I know nothing about Medicare 🙁

[Edalv in reply to JerrysGirl3]

Thanks for your reply… 🙏

[CycleWonder in reply to Edalv]

Pretty much all Medicare Plan D ‘s are terrible. People may do better as far as drug coverage on a managed care plan but then one is limited to doctors in their network. For CLL, this would be a risk.

The $2000 year cap beginning in 2025 or 2026 (not quite sure which year it begins) will be a godsend.

[SofiaDeo in reply to Edalv]

You may want to switch sooner rather than later. With much of Obamacare repealed, some plans are able to implement lockouts of preexisting conditions for at least 6 months. This includes doctor visits as well as drugs. So consider a switch during Open Enrollment before you need it.

medicarefaq.com/faqs/pre-ex...

[LeoPa]

So the only criteria for inclusion was not being 17p deleted? What about differentiating between mutated and unmutated? Not to mention other markers, comorbidities, age... Anyways it is good to know that BR is that effective.