Australian Government - Department of Health and Ageing

Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC)

Ref 44: K-RAS Mutation Testing for Cetuximab (Erbitux)

Assessment No.

Reference 44
Application NameK-RAS Mutation Testing for Cetuximab (Erbitux)
Description Of Intervention
Description Of Disease
Disease GroupCancer
Disease sub GroupColorectal
Intervention CategoryInvestigative
Intervention TypePathology
Intervention Sub TypeMolecular Genetics
Received29/09/2009
Stage 2 - Eligibility29/09/2009
Stage 3 - PASC
(in developmental phase comprised of MSAC Members)		19/10/2010
Stage 4 - Submission of Evidence27/10/10
Stage 5 - ESC evaluation18/11/2010
Stage 6 - MSAC Appraisal2/12/2010
Stage 6 - MSAC adviceMSAC supports public funding of testing to determine tumour KRAS mutation status to contribute to the determination of eligibility for PBS-subsidised cetuximab for a patient with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Testing should be performed in a NATA accredited laboratory, and be ordered by an oncologist. It should also be supported by a suitable quality standards and a quality assurance program specific to KRAS testing developed by RCPA.

Stage 7 - Noting by Minister
  • advice is not communicated to the Minister until the Minutes of the relevant meeting have been ratified by MSAC members (which may take several weeks)
  • the Minister needs time to properly consider MSAC's advice (and may choose to seek further policy advice from the department before noting the advice)
  • a Government decision to list a service supported by MSAC is taken in the context of other Government priorities: MSAC's support of an application for public funding does not oblige the Government to list the service on the MBS
MSAC considered this assessment on 2 December 2010.
The Minister noted MSAC's advice 14 April 2011.
Stage 8 - Implementation

Page currency, Latest update: 03 May, 2011

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