Vismodegib
Vismodegib was the first hedgehog-pathway drug, for basal cell carcinomas too advanced for surgery; it shrinks most tumours but muscle cramps, taste loss and hair loss make long-term use hard.
ERIVANCE (NEJM 2012): 30% response in metastatic and 43% in locally advanced BCC; long-term follow-up ~50-60% response in locally advanced disease. Teratogenic (pregnancy prevention programme). Also used in SHH medulloblastoma (adults) and studied neoadjuvantly (VISMONEO). Resistance via SMO mutations.
- Medicare
- Part D (self-administered)
Oral, self-administered, so it is a Part D drug: covered through a stand-alone Part D plan or Medicare Advantage drug benefit, usually on the specialty tier with 25 to 33% coinsurance until the annual cap ($2,000 in 2025, $2,100 in 2026).
- Commercial insurance
- covered with prior authorisation
Covered for FDA-labelled and NCCN-listed uses, but almost always behind prior authorisation confirming diagnosis, biomarker and line of therapy; dispensed through a specialty pharmacy.
- Assistance programmes
- Genentech Access Solutions
- Genentech Patient Foundation — Free medicine for eligible patients regardless of insurance type.
- PAN Foundation — Disease-specific co-pay and premium funds; open and closed funds change monthly.
- HealthWell Foundation
- CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation
- Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief
Part D out-of-pocket capped at $2,000 (2025) / $2,100 (2026). Medicare patients cannot use manufacturer co-pay cards; charity funds (PAN, HealthWell, CancerCare) and the Extra Help subsidy are the routes.
Sources: Medicare.gov: Drug coverage (Part D) · Medicare.gov: Costs for Medicare drug coverage (annual out-of-pocket cap). Not medical or financial advice; verify with your plan.
- Appraised for
- Symptomatic metastatic or locally advanced basal cell carcinoma unsuitable for surgery or radiotherapy
- Notes
- Was funded under the old CDF before 2016; not routinely available since. Individual funding requests possible.
Sources: NICE TA489. Funding decisions are indication-specific and change monthly; verify with NICE and your treating team.
Approvals
| Region | Year | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| US | 2012 | Metastatic BCC or locally advanced BCC recurrent after surgery or not amenable to surgery/radiation |
| EU | 2013 | Same |
Trials
topRecruiting now (live from ClinicalTrials.gov)
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Latest papers
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