Blood Cancer

Know your options

A diagnosis of blood cancer may be life changing for you, your family and friends.

Getting the facts about your diagnosis and available treatments will help you make the best decision based on your situation. It is important to tell your doctor and nurse how you prefer to receive information and how much you want to know.

Don’t be afraid to voice your questions and concerns as this will help you and your health care team form a partnership in your care.

For further information you can also visit Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand website.

Roche offers several medications for blood 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 blood 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.

Gazyva^{^®} (obinutuzumab)

is a monoclonal antibody therapy, used for the treatment of indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (iNHL), follicular lymphoma (FL) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).

Polivy^® (polatuzumab vedotin)

is an anti-cancer agent. It is used to treat a type of blood cancer called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Columvi^{^®}
(glofitamab)

is a treatment for a type of blood cancer called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Gazyva^® (obinutuzumab), 1000 mg in 40 mL concentrate for solution for intravenous (IV) infusion, is a Prescription Medicine used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and indolent (slow-growing) non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (iNHL) in untreated patients and in those who have stopped responding to rituximab.

Gazyva is a funded medicine for patients who meet defined criteria. Funding includes patients with first line
chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and some patients with relapsed/refractory indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A

prescription charge and doctor’s fees apply.

Use only as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your healthcare professional. For more information about Gazyva:

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

Gazyva has risks and benefits.

Possible common side effects include: frequent infections with fever, severe chills,

respiratory infections including pneumonia, shingles, mouth ulcers or urinary infections; stuffy nose or chest; joint, bone or muscle pain; back pain or pain in arms or legs; headache; diarrhoea, constipation or haemorrhoids; urinary incontinence or pain; increased weight; persistent cough; hair loss; night sweats; feeling depressed or anxious; itchy skin; red eye; sleeplessness and/or feeling tired.

Do not use Gazyva if: you have had an allergic reaction to Gazyva or any of the ingredients, or you
have had an allergic reaction to any other proteins that are of mouse origin.

Tell your doctor if: you have an infection, or a history of recurring/long-term infections; you are taking medicines that suppress your immune system; you have a history of heart disease, irregular heartbeat, chest pain (angina), heart failure or a recent heart attack; you are taking medicine to prevent blood clots; you are taking medicine to control blood pressure; you have pre-existing lung, kidney or liver disease; you intend to have or have had an
immunisation with any vaccine; you are allergic to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes; you are
pregnant or breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the
following: swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty breathing; swelling of other parts of the body; shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing; rash, itching or hives on the skin; feeling sick (nausea); abnormal bleeding from any part of the body, abnormal bruising, blood clots; dizziness or light-headedness; fever, chills;
feeling tired; headache; chest pain or abnormal or irregular heartbeat.

Panel dated 03 Aug 2026.

Polivy^® (polatuzumab vedotin), 140mg and 30mg vials, is a Prescription Medicine used to treat a type of cancer called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). It is used when the cancer has never been treated before; when the cancer has come back or has never responded to one or more previous treatments for this type of cancer; and when you cannot receive a stem cell transplant.

Ask your doctor if Polivy is right for you.

Polivy is an unfunded medicine for DLBCL. 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 Polivy:

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

Polivy has risks and benefits.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following signs and symptoms:

During an infusion: swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty breathing; swelling of other parts of your body such as your hands or feet; shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing; abnormal or irregular heartbeat; rash, itching or hives on the skin; flushing (warm, red) skin; pain or swelling at site of injection; feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting, diarrhoea; pain or discomfort (including stomach pain, back pain, chest or neck pain); fever or chills.

After an infusion: flu and/or cold-like symptoms, chest pain, coughing, sweating; fever, sore throat, tiredness, sores in the mouth or gums; bruising, bleeding gums or nose, rash on legs with red dots, blood in urine or stools; numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, sharp or jabbing pain, burning or freezing sensation, pins and needles; weakness, lack of energy, feeling unsteady; difficulty walking; muscle cramps or spasms, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, mood changes; swelling of the hands or feet, yellow skin or eyes, rapid heartbeat, appetite changes; confusion or memory loss, muscle spasms and cramps, facial twitching, numbness; nose bleeds, feeling dizzy, tired, looking pale; nausea or vomiting; constipation or abdominal pain; diarrhoea; rash, itching or hives on the skin; decreased appetite, weight decrease; skin infection; urinary tract infection; upper respiratory tract infection; breathlessness and difficulty in breathing.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.

Do not use Polivy if: you have an allergic reaction to polatuzumab vedotin or any of the ingredients in Polivy.

Tell your doctor if: you have ever had nerve problems such as numbness, tingling in the hands or feet or eyesight problems; you have ever had liver problems such as hepatitis; you think you may have an infection. Pregnancy/Lactation; you are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant whilst taking Polivy.

Columvi^{^®} (glofitamab), 2.5 mg/2.5 mL and 10 mg/10 mL vial, is a Prescription Medicine used for the treatment of adults with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). It is used when the cancer has come back (relapsed) or the cancer did not respond to previous treatments.

Ask your doctor if Columvi is right for you.

Columvi is an unfunded medicine for relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. 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 Columvi:

• talk to your health professional; or
• visit medsafe.govt.nz for Columvi Consumer Medicine Information; or
• visit roche.co.nz or call Roche on 0800 276 243.

Columvi has risks and benefits.

Possible common side effects include: Reduced levels in blood tests of: neutrophils or lymphocytes (types of white blood cell), which may cause fever or symptoms of an infection; red blood cells (anaemia), which may cause tiredness, feeling unwell and pale skin; platelets (a type of blood cell), which may cause unusual bruising or bleeding; low levels in blood tests, phosphate, magnesium, calcium or potassium; low sodium levels in blood tests, which may cause tiredness, muscle twitching or cramps; increased levels in blood tests of liver enzymes and bilirubin (yellow substance in blood), which may cause yellowing of skin or eyes, and dark urine; fever; rash; headache; new or recurring viral infections, such as lung infection, shingles or cytomegalovirus; bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infection; infection in or around the stomach; respiratory tract infections, such as runny nose, sore throat, sinus infections, and chest colds; lung infection (pneumonia), which may cause fever, cough, and difficulty breathing; infection in blood (sepsis), which may cause fever, chills and confusion; fungal infection; COVID-19 infection caused by a virus called coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2); fever with low levels of neutrophils; constipation; diarrhoea; feeling sick (nausea); vomiting; bleeding in the stomach or gut (gastrointestinal haemorrhage), which may cause black stools or blood in vomit; abdominal (belly) pain; inflammation of the large bowel, which may cause abdominal pain, bloody stools and the urge to have a bowel movement; confusion; trembling; sleepiness; pain in muscles or bones; numbness, tingling, a burning sensation, pain, discomfort or weakness and /or difficulty walking (peripheral neuropathy); inflammation of the pancreas.

Do not use Columvi if: you are allergic to glofitamab or any of the ingredients in Columvi.

Tell your doctor if: you have any other medical conditions or take any other medicines. Pregnancy/lactation: tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Centre if you notice any of the following: Cytokine release syndrome: symptoms include fever, fast heartbeat, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, chills, shortness of breath, fever with low levels of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell). Neurologic system (including ICANS and PML): symptoms include confusion, disorientation, sleepiness, and change in consciousness level, memory loss, trouble speaking, difficulty walking, or problems with eyesight. Infections: symptoms include fever, chills, difficulty breathing, burning pain when passing urine. Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: symptoms include fever, enlarged liver and/or spleen, lymph node enlargement, easy bruising, kidney abnormalities, and breathing problems. Tumour flare: symptoms include your cancer appearing to become worse, developing tender swollen lymph nodes, chest pain, cough, inability to breathe easily, or pain at the site of the tumour. Tumour lysis syndrome: symptoms include weakness, shortness of breath, feeling confused, irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps. Gastrointestinal/digestive system symptoms: Including inflammation of the large bowel, which may cause abdominal pain, bloody stools and the urge to have a bowel movement.

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