Imetelstat (Rytelo™)
IMPORTANT REMINDER
We develop Medical Policies to provide guidance to Members and Providers. This Medical Policy relates only to the services or supplies described in it. The existence of a Medical Policy is not an authorization, certification, explanation of benefits or a contract for the service (or supply) that is referenced in the Medical Policy. For a determination of the benefits that a Member is entitled to receive under his or her health plan, the Member's health plan must be reviewed. If there is a conflict between the Medical Policy and a health plan or government program (e.g., TennCare), the express terms of the health plan or government program will govern.
POLICY
I. INDICATIONS
The indications below including FDA-approved indication and compendial uses are considered a covered benefit provided that all the approval criteria are met and the member has no exclusions to the prescribed therapy.
FDA-Approved Indication
Rytelo is indicated for adult patients with low- to intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with transfusion-dependent anemia requiring 4 or more red blood cell units over 8 weeks who have not responded to or have lost response to or are ineligible for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs).
All other indications are considered experimental/investigational and not medically necessary.
II. CRITERIA FOR INITIAL APPROVAL
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
Authorization of 24 weeks may be granted for treatment of low or intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with transfusion-dependent anemia when both of the following criteria are met:
A. The member has not responded to, has lost response to, or is ineligible for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs).
B. The member has been receiving regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions as defined by greater than or equal to 4 units per 8 weeks.
III. CONTINUATION OF THERAPY
Authorization of 6 months may be granted for continued treatment in members requesting authorization for an indication listed in Section II when both of the following criteria are met:
A. The member has achieved or maintained a reduction in red blood cell transfusion burden.
B. The member has not experienced an unacceptable toxicity from Rytelo.
APPLICABLE TENNESSEE STATE MANDATE REQUIREMENTS
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee’s Medical Policy complies with Tennessee Code Annotated Section 56-7-2352 regarding coverage of off-label indications of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs when the off-label use is recognized in one of the statutorily recognized standard reference compendia or in the published peer-reviewed medical literature.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For appropriate chemotherapy regimens, dosage information, contraindications, precautions, warnings, and monitoring information, please refer to one of the standard reference compendia (e.g., the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) published by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network®, Drugdex Evaluations of Micromedex Solutions at Truven Health, or The American Hospital Formulary Service Drug Information).
REFERENCES
1. Rytelo [package insert]. Forest City, CA: Geron Corporation; June 2024.
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/1/2024
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 10/1/2024
ID_CHS
Policies included in the Medical Policy Manual are not intended to certify coverage availability. They are medical determinations about a particular technology, service, drug, etc. While a policy or technology may be medically necessary, it could be excluded in a member's benefit plan. Please check with the appropriate claims department to determine if the service in question is a covered service under a particular benefit plan. Use of the Medical Policy Manual is not intended to replace independent medical judgment for treatment of individuals. The content on this Web site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice in any way. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider if you have questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.
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