BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Medical Policy Manual

Daunorubicin and Cytarabine, Liposome (Vyxeos®)

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

INDICATIONS

The indications below including FDA-approved indications 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 Indications

Vyxeos is indicated for the treatment of newly-diagnosed therapy-related acute

myeloid leukemia (t-AML) or AML with myelodysplasia-related changes

(AML-MRC) in adults and pediatric patients 1 year and older.
 

COVERAGE CRITERIA

The requested drug will be covered with prior authorization when the following criteria are met:

AND

AND

AND

OR

AND

AND

AND

*The NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium recognizes additional uses for Daunorubicin and Cytarabine, Liposome beyond the FDA-approved labeling (Refer to the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium or NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines for detailed recommendations)

LENGTH OF AUTHORIZATION

 Approval may be provided for six (6) months. Administration may also be subject to dosing limits in accordance with FDA-approved labeling, accepted compendia, and/or evidence-based practice guidelines.

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. Vyxeos [package insert]. Palo Alto, CA; Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2022. Accessed July 2025.
  2. Vyxeos. In: Clinical Pharmacology. Tampa (FL): Elsevier. Revised April 2025. Accessed July 2025.
  3. Lexi-Comp Online. (2025, February). AHFS DI. Daunorubicin and Cytarabine. Retrieved July 2025 from Lexi-Comp Online with AHFS.
  4. MICROMEDEX Healthcare Series. Drugdex Evaluations. (2025, February). Daunorubicin and Cytarabine. Retrieved July 2025 from MICROMEDEX Healthcare Series.
  5. The NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium 2025 National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. Available at: http://www.nccn.org. Accessed July 14, 2025.  

 

ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 9/12/2017

MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 10/14/2025

ID_BT

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.

This document has been classified as public information.