Kimmtrak (tebentafusp) is a breakthrough new therapy indicated for the treatment of HLA-A*02:01–positive adult patients with uveal melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body or can’t be removed with surgery. KIMMTRAK (tebentafusp) is a class of immunotherapy that works by bridging together tumor and T cells, which helps the body’s immune system to locate and kill the melanoma cells. Kimmtrak (tebentafusp) is administered through an IV infusion and the recommended dosage is 20mcg on day 1, 30 mcg on day 8, 68 mcg on day 15 and 68mcg once a week thereafter, unless treatment must be discontinued due to severe side effects, or the disease has progressed. Kimmtrak (tebentafusp) is the first systemic treatment to ever show a survival benefit among patients with metastatic uveal melanoma.
Side Effects
Side effects reported by patients were skin rash, fever, fatigue, cognitive impairment, gastrointestinal issues, nausea, muscle, joint pain, and headaches. Most patients described the side effects as short-term, tolerable, and manageable and that the benefits of the treatments outweighed the negative side effects based on their experience. KIMMTRAK can cause also serious side effects that can be severe or life threatening and usually happen within the first three infusions, including:
Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS). Symptoms of CRS may include:
fever
tiredness or weakness
vomiting
chills
nausea
low blood pressure
dizziness and light-headedness
headache
wheezing and trouble breathing
rash
It’s important to report any new side effects during or after treatment to your health care team promptly. Your healthcare provider will check for these problems during treatment with KIMMTRAK.
Provincial Funding Summary
As of January 2023, CADTH recommended that tebentafusp (Kimmtrak) be reimbursed by public drug plans for the treatment of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*02:01-positive adults with unresectable (cannot be fully removed through surgery) or metastatic (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body) uveal melanoma under certain conditions
Note: Funding criteria as listed on the decision date. Please refer to the provincial drug programs for the most recent funding criteria and program eligibility. Click Here to visit CADTH pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review
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