On January 24, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement regarding the efficacy of the drug Lartruvo^® (olaratumab). Lartruvo^® was approved by the FDA in October 2016, to treat soft tissue sarcoma, in combination with doxorubicin. A long-term clinical study has found that treatment with Lartruvo^® and doxorubicin did not meet the primary endpoint of improvement in overall survival compared with a placebo and doxorubicin. Additionally, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network has removed the combination regimen of Lartruvo^® and doxorubicin as a recommended therapy in their Soft Tissue Sarcoma guidelines.

Effective April 12, 2019, Independence will no longer consider Lartruvo^® as medically necessary for treatment of soft tissue sarcoma in combination with doxorubicin. In accordance with the FDA statement, providers who are currently treating Independence members with Lartruvo^® should speak with them about the feasibility of continued treatment with the drug. An Independence medical policy on Lartruvo^® is currently in development.

For more information

The complete statement on Lartruvo^® is available on the FDA website. If you have any questions about this update, please email us at provider_communications@ibx.com.