Lynch syndrome is a dominantly inherited cancer syndrome caused by germline pathogenic variants of mismatch repair (MMR) genes. In women with LS, gynaecological cancers are as common as gastrointestinal cancers.
Gynaecological cancer is often the first cancer diagnosis in women with Lynch syndrome.
Reimbursement of new cancer meds is an area where Ireland is increasingly falling behind. Are they expensive? Yes. Is every new ‘innovative’ drug worth its price tag in terms of real world outcomes? No. It’s complex. But now there’s a growing public vs private access divide. @PriscellaLynch
Very informative thread…. https://x.com/mccarthymt7/status/1853202348484747502
“List of anti-cancer drugs that are approved by the HSE for the treatment of endometrial cancer in Ireland. Except for dostarlimab. The protocol was included here on the basis of EMA approval and to offer guidance to private hospitals, where the drug is available for this indication. Probably.”
“Summary: Dostarlimab is very effective in treating advanced dMMR endometrial cancer. The public healthcare system in Ireland cannot afford this drug for public cancer patients (it has been fully assessed by the HSE reimbursement process and declined). Private cancer patients can access this treatment. In public hospitals we instead will continue to use less effective therapies, that are not EMA approved.”
LS-related tumours are characterised by a highly immunogenic tumour-environment that can be targeted by specific immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Lynch Syndrome Ireland 