Home » Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer

Know your options

Everyone reacts and copes differently following a lung cancer diagnosis. Every person has to come to terms with a new reality and a large degree of uncertainty about many of the things that matter most in life.

Getting the facts about your diagnosis and available treatments will help you make the best decisions based on your situation.

Roche offers several medications for lung cancer that have shown effective results in clinical trials. One of them may be a suitable treatment option for you.

There are a number of Roche medicines available for the treatment of lung cancer. Some of these medicines are funded by PHARMAC and some are unfunded which means you will have to pay for them. Click on the links below for more information.

Tecentriq®
(atezolizumab)

An immunotherapy for the treatment of early, advanced or metastatic NSCLC and extensive-stage SCLC. Tecentriq works with your body’s own immune system to fight the cancer cells.

FIND OUT MORE

Alecensa®
(alectinib)

A targeted therapy for the treatment of ALK+ NSCLC which works by blocking the activity of the ALK rearranged protein.

FIND OUT MORE

ROZLYTREK®
(entrectinib)

A targeted therapy for the treatment of ROS1+ NSCLC and NTRK+ cancer.

FIND OUT MORE

Types of lung cancer

There are several types of lung cancer and the type you have will determine which treatment is most appropriate for you. 

Lung cancer is broadly classified as either:

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is the most common type of lung cancer (about 85% of all cases)

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), which makes up around 15% of all cases.

Types of NSCLC

As researchers have learned more about NSCLC, they have discovered that in some cases, people may have an abnormality within their DNA (genes) that cause or even increase the speed at which lung cancer cells grow. These abnormalities are not hereditary – meaning that people with these types of lung cancer will not pass these on to future generations.

The main types of lung cancer where there is a ‘genomic alteration’ (ie, the cancer is caused by a problem in the DNA) are EGFRm, ALK+, and ROS1+ or NTRK+ lung cancer – there is more information on each of these below. If you are found to have one of these sub-types of lung cancer, there may be treatments available for you that are more effective than chemotherapy.

Has your cancer been tested for EGFRm, ALK+, ROS1+ and NTRK+?

To establish if you have an abnormality in your EGFR, ALK, ROS1 or NTRK genes that might be causing your lung  cancer, your doctor needs to request a special type of test for you that involves analysing a sample of your tumour tissue. This will determine whether a targeted therapy, such as Alecensa or Rozlytrek, is likely to be suitable for your cancer. Sometimes obtaining a sample of your tumour can be difficult. In these cases, your doctor might offer a blood-based test that looks for DNA or cells from the NSCLC in your blood sample.
If you’re not sure if you’ve had one of these tests, talk to your doctor who will be able to advise you.

EGFRm NSCLC

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor mutation-positive (EGFRm) NSCLC

The EGFR gene is what makes a protein that helps cells control how they grow and divide. In some NSCLC cells the EGFR protein is changed and continuously turned on. This causes the cancer cells to develop in an uncontrolled way.  If you have EGFRm NSCLC, your doctor may suggest a targeted therapy that interferes with the activity of your EGFR gene.

ALK+ NSCLC

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase fusion-positive (ALK+) NSCLC

About 5% of people with NSCLC have an abnormality in their DNA which affects a gene called Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK). In these cases, some of the DNA in the ALK gene is ‘fused’ to some of the DNA in another gene – this is known as ALK fusion-positive (or, ALK+) NSCLC. This fusion in the ALK gene causes cells in the lung cancer to rapidly grow and spread. If you have ALK+ NSCLC, your doctor may suggest a targeted therapy known as an ‘ALK inhibitor’ (such as Alecensa), which is specifically designed to treat ALK+ NSCLC. – find out about Alecensa here.

ROS1+ NSCLC

c-ros proto-oncogene 1 fusion-positive (ROS1+) NSCLC

A small portion of people with NSCLC—about 2%—have an abnormality in their ROS1 gene. In these cases, some of the DNA in the ROS1 gene is ‘fused’ to some of the DNA in another gene – this is known as ROS1 fusion-positive (or, ROS1+) NSCLC. Under normal circumstances, the ROS1 gene makes a protein which helps the cell know how to grow and function properly – however a ROS1 gene fusion can stop the gene working correctly and cause the lung cancer in your body to grow and/or spread to other areas. If you have ROS1+ NSCLC, your doctor may suggest a targeted therapy known as a ‘ROS1 inhibitor’ (such as ROZLYTREK), which is specifically designed to treat the ROS1+ NSCLC – find out about ROZLYTREK here.

NTRK+ cancer

neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase fusion-positive cancer

A very small portion of people with cancer (in their lungs, or in other parts of their body) —less than 1% —have an abnormality in one of their NTRK genes (there are three of these – NTRK1, NTRK2 and NTRK3). In these cases, some of the DNA in the NTRK gene is ‘fused’ to some of the DNA in another gene – this is known as NTRK fusion-positive (or, NTRK+) NSCLC. Under normal circumstances, the NTRK genes help transmit signals that help the cell grow and survive. In a cell with a NTRK fusion, the signalling processes do not work correctly so can cause uncontrolled cell growth, and the spread of the cancer in your body. If you have NTRK+ cancer (in your lungs or in another part of your body), your doctor may suggest a targeted therapy known as a ‘NTRK inhibitor’ (such as ROZLYTREK), which is specifically designed to treat NTRK+ cancers – find out about ROZLYTREK here.

Comprehensive Genomic Profiling

You may be interested in finding out even more about your specific type of cancer. Comprehensive Genomic Profiling can search for a range of different DNA alterations that are known to drive cancer, including EGFR, ALK, ROS1 and NTRK. If there are DNA alterations that are found to be promoting your tumour’s growth, this information can help your doctor decide what might be your best treatment option.

Find out more about Comprehensive Genomic Profiling here.

Has your cancer been tested for PD-L1 expression?

PD-L1 is an immune-related protein that can be found on the surface of many tissue types, including tumour cells. Tumours that are found to have high levels of PD-L1 on their cells may be more likely to respond to a type of treatment called immunotherapy. Testing for PD-L1 expression involves analysing a sample of your tumour tissue and may provide you and your doctor with information to help determine if immunotherapy may be right for you. Immunotherapy is different to a lot of other treatments. Instead of working to directly attack the cancer, immunotherapy drugs (such as Tecentriq) help boost your immune system, so that it can fight the cancer more effectively – find out about Tecentriq here.

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 a funded medicine for unresectable HCC; and locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC after prior chemotherapy; for patients who meet defined criteria. A prescription charge and doctor’s fees apply.
Tecentriq is an unfunded medicine 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; fatigue; red, itchy scaly skin; dry, cracked skin; local reaction at the injection site (subcutaneous formulation); nausea; fever, chills; headache; vomiting; difficulty swallowing; flu-like symptoms; nasal congestion; stomach, back, muscle, bone, joint or throat pain; urinary tract infection; lung infection; cough; common cold; dizziness, light-headedness or fainting; bleeding or bruising; looking pale; constipation; sore mouth and/or throat, mouth ulcers and cold sores; numbness or weakness of the arms and legs; hoarse or rough voice; high blood pressure; hair loss; a change in the way things taste; swelling to arms and legs; arthritis.

Do not use Tecentriq if: you have an allergy to atezolizumab or any of the other ingredients.

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 have experienced a severe skin reaction after taking other anticancer medicines; 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 or problems of the nerves (muscle weakness, numbness or tingling in hands and feet); inflammation of the heart muscle (shortness of breath, feeling tired, irregular heart beat or chest pain); inflammation of muscles (muscle pain or stiffness, skin rash); concurrent (at the same time) inflammation of the heart muscle, muscles and/or problems with the nerves (drooping eyelids, vision or swallowing difficulties, symptoms for the individual conditions: muscle pain or stiffness, weakness or tingling in hands or feet, shortness of breath, feeling tired, irregular heart beat and/or chest pain, skin rash); 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 pancreas (abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting); inflammation of the kidneys (dark and/or frothy urine, high blood pressure, swelling to face, feet, legs and hands); severe infusion reactions including anaphylaxis (fever, chills, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing, swelling of the face/lips/tongue, rash/itchy skin and hot flushes); severe skin reactions (rash, swelling of the skin, burning pain of the skin, ulcers and lesions in the mouth, lips, genital or anal regions, flat red-purple spots on the skin, skin blisters, peeling skin); excessive activation of the immune system (fever, swollen lymph nodes, skin rash, yellowing of skin and eyes, coughing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea, 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); inflammation of the eye (eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, changes to vision); swollen lymph nodes, rash or tender lumps on skin, cough, shortness of breath/chest tightness, abnormal heart rate or eye pain.

alecenda logo

Alecensa® (alectinib) 150mg capsules is a Prescription Medicine used for the treatment of adults with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer.

Ask your doctor if Alecensa is right for you.

Alecensa is a PHARMAC funded medicine for patients with ALK-positive locally advanced or metastatic (spread to other parts of the body) non-small cell lung cancer who meet pre-defined criteria. A prescription charge may apply.

Alecensa is not PHARMAC funded for ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients following surgery (adjuvant treatment).

Use only as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your healthcare professional. For more information about Alecensa:
● talk to your health professional; or
● visit medsafe.govt.nz for the Alecensa Consumer Medicine Information; or
● visit roche.co.nz or call Roche on 0800 276 243.

Alecensa has risks and benefits.

Possible common side effects include: rash including increased sensitivity to sunlight (follow sun protection guidelines); diarrhoea and constipation, nausea and/or vomiting; tiredness, dizziness; swelling of hands, feet, legs or around eyes; eye problems like blurred or impaired vision, black dots or white spots in your vision or double-vision; headache, inflammation in your mouth, change of sense of taste, and weight gain.

Do not use Alecensa if: you or your partner are pregnant or you are breastfeeding.

Tell your doctor if: you have liver problems; you have lactose or galactose intolerance, congenital lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption; you are planning a pregnancy or plan to breastfeed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following: shortness of breath or difficulty breathing with cough and/or fever; yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, pain on the right side of your stomach area, dark urine, itchy skin, feeling less hungry than usual, feeling tired, bleeding or bruising more easily than normal; slow heart beat; unexplained muscle pain that does not go away, tenderness or weakness; decreased in urine, confusion, new or worsening swelling of legs, ankles or around the eyes, chest pain or pressure; sudden, severe abdominal pain with nausea, vomiting, fast heart rate, fast breathing and/or fever.

ROZLYTREK® (entrectinib) 100mg/200mg capsules, is a Prescription Medicine used for the treatment of adult patients with ROS1-positive, locally advanced or metastatic (spreading) Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), and the treatment of adult and paediatric patients 12 years of age and older, with neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) fusion-positive locally advanced or metastatic solidtumours, where other treatments have not worked or are not suitable for you.

Rozlytrek is a funded medicine for ROS1+ NSCLC for patients who meet defined criteria. A prescription charge and doctor’s fees apply. Rozlytrek is an unfunded medicine for NTRK solid tumours. 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 Rozlytrek:

● talk to your health professional; or
● visit medsafe.govt.nz for Rozlytrek Consumer Medicine Information; or
● visit cancertreatments.co.nz or call Roche on 0800 276 243.

Rozlytrek has risks and benefits.

Possible common side effects include: feeling tired, pain including headache or head pain or joint or muscle pain or pain or discomfort in limbs or bones, fever, constipation, diarrhoea, feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting) or stomach pain, difficulty in swallowing, changes in taste, an abnormal or unpleasant sense of touch, numbness or weakness of the arms and legs, loss of muscle coordination or being unsteady when walking, symptoms of anaemia such as tiredness/headaches/being short of breath when exercising/dizziness/looking pale, weight gain, loss of appetite, dehydration, muscle weakness, bone fractures, lung infection, urinary tract infection, blurred vision, rash, swelling or puffiness of the skin, disturbances in your sleep pattern, red, hot, stiff or swollen joints.

Do not use Rozlytrek if: you are allergic to entrectinib or any of the other ingredients in this medicine, or if you or your partner are pregnant or you are breastfeeding. Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

Tell your doctor if: you have allergies to any other medicines/foods/preservatives/dyes, you have heart problems such as a condition called ‘prolonged QT interval’ or a condition called ‘congestive heart failure’ or ‘heart failure’, you have an inherited problem called ‘galactose intolerance’, ‘congenital lactase deficiency’ or ‘glucose-galactose malabsorption’, liver or kidney problems, or if you are planning a pregnancy or plan to breastfeed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following: signs of heart problems (heart failure) such as persistent coughing or wheezing, shortness of breath, and swelling in your legs or arms (fluid retention); feeling dizzy or light-headed as this may be a sign of an abnormal heart rhythm or low blood pressure; feeling confused, changes in mood, having memory problems or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations); loss of consciousness or fainting; symptoms of a condition called tumour lysis
syndrome, including nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps or twitches, decreased urination, irritability, sudden uncontrolled fits (seizures).

All trademarks mentioned herein are protected by law.

You are about to leave the site to one that is not controlled or developed by Roche Products (New Zealand) Ltd.

Roche does not endorse or control, the content of any linked websites and if you click on any of those links you agree that Roche has no responsibility or duty to you for anything that happens to you as a result. If the linked site is outside New Zealand’s jurisdiction, the information may not be consistent with New Zealand’s legislation, advertising codes or the relevant New Zealand registered Data Sheet.
Please refer to the Data Sheet or Consumer Medicine Information on the Medsafe website for product information applicable to New Zealand.

Click OK to continue.

Ok Continue Close