BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Medical Policy Manual

Ziv-Aflibercept (Zaltrap®)

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 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.

 

A.    FDA-Approved Indication

Zaltrap is indicated for use in combination with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) that is resistant to or has progressed following an oxaliplatin-containing regimen.

 

B.    Compendial Uses

1.     Colorectal cancer with unresectable metachronous metastases and previous adjuvant FOLFOX (fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) or CapeOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) within the past 12 months, as initial treatment in combination with irinotecan or FOLFIRI (fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan)

2.     Colorectal cancer (including anal adenocarcinoma and appendiceal adenocarcinoma), advanced or metastatic disease in combination with irinotecan or with FOLFIRI regimen not previously treated with irinotecan-based therapy, as subsequent therapy for disease progression

 

All other indications are considered experimental/investigational and not medically necessary.

 

   II.    CRITERIA FOR INITIAL APPROVAL

 

Colorectal cancer (CRC)

 

Authorization of 12 months may be granted for treatment of advanced or metastatic CRC, including anal adenocarcinoma and appendiceal adenocarcinoma, in combination with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) or in combination with irinotecan.

 

   III.    CONTINUATION OF THERAPY  

 

Authorization of 12 months may be granted for continued treatment in members requesting reauthorization for an indication in Section II when there is no evidence of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression while on the current regimen.

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.     Zaltrap [package insert]. Bridgewater, NJ: Sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC; December 2020.

2.     The NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium® © 2023 National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. Available at: http://www.nccn.org. Accessed June 23, 2023.

3.     National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Anal Carcinoma. Version 2.2023. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/anal.pdf. Accessed July 23, 2023.

ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 8/13/2012

MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 5/14/2024

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.

This document has been classified as public information.