Effective Date:
a) This policy will apply to all services performed on or after the above revision date which will become the new effective date.
b) For all services referred to in this policy that were performed before the revision date, contact customer service for the rules that would apply.
1) Kadcyla (ado-trastuzumab) requires pre-authorization.
2) Kadcyla is used to treat a type of metastatic breast cancer and a type of lung cancer.
3) Kadcyla is considered a specialty drug and is covered under the medical benefit.
Kadcyla (ado-trastuzumab) is considered medically necessary for members > 18 years when prescribed as a single agent who meet the following criteria:
1) Diagnosis of HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer AND
2) Previously received treatment with Herceptin (trastuzumab) and a taxane, separately or in combination OR
3) Diagnosis of recurrent, advanced, or metastatic HER2-positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer OR
4) Diagnosis of recurrent HER2=positive salivary gland tumor
1) Kadcyla Prescribing Information. Genentech, Inc. South San Francisco, CA. February 2022.
2) Ado-trastuzumab emtansine. In: National Comprehensive Cancer Network Drugs and Biologics Compendium. Available at: http://www.nccn.org/professionals/drug_compendium. Accessed February 7, 2023.
3) Minckwitz GV, Huang CS, Mano MS, et al. Trastuzumab emtansine for residual invasive HER2-positive breast cancer. N Engl J Med 2019;380:617-28.
4) National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines. Breast Cancer Version 2.2023. Available at https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/breast.pdf. Accessed February 7, 2023.
Effective 04/01/2018: Added covered diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer.
Effective 08/01/2023: Updated NSCLC criteria to indicate recurrent, advanced, or metastatic and added coverage criteria for salivary gland tumor.