Clinical Policy: Pasireotide (Signifor, Signifor LAR) Form

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Clinical Policy: Pasireotide (Signifor, Signifor LAR)

Indications

(10001) Has there been failure of lanreotide (Somatuline Depot)? 
(20001) Has there been failure of generic octreotide acetate LAR? 
(20002) Is octreotide acetate LAR unavailable due to shortage? 
(30001) Is generic octreotide acetate LAR unavailable due to shortage? 
(30002) Has there been failure of Sandostatin LAR Depot? 

YesNoN/A
YesNoN/A
YesNoN/A

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Effective Date

NA

Last Reviewed

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Original Document

  Reference



Clinical Policy: Pasireotide (Signifor, Signifor LAR)

Reference Number: CP.PHAR.332
Effective Date: 03.01.17
Last Review Date: 02.26
Line of Business: Commercial, HIM, Medicaid

[Coding Implications](Coding Implications)
[Revision Log](Revision Log)

See [Important Reminder](See Important Reminder) at the end of this policy for important regulatory and legal information.

Description

Pasireotide (Signifor®, Signifor® LAR) is a somatostatin analog.

FDA Approved Indication(s)

Signifor and Signifor LAR are indicated for the treatment of patients with Cushing’s disease for whom pituitary surgery is not an option or has not been curative. Signifor is specifically indicated in adults.

Signifor LAR is also indicated for the treatment of patients with acromegaly who have had an inadequate response to surgery and/or for whom surgery is not an option.

Policy/Criteria

  1. Failure of both of the following , unless clinically significant adverse effects are experienced or all are contraindicated (a and b):For Illinois HIM requests, the step therapy requirement below does not apply as of 1/1/2026 per IL HB 5395
    a. Lanreotide (Somatuline® Depot);
    b. Both of the following (i and ii):
    i. Generic octreotide acetate LAR (generic Sandostatin® LAR Depot), unless octreotide acetate LAR is unavailable due to shortage;

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Pasireotide

ii. If member is unable to use generic octreotide acetate LAR (generic Sandostatin LAR Depot) due to shortage: Sandostatin LAR Depot;
^Prior authorization may be required for lanreotide, octreotide acetate LAR, and Sandostatin LAR Depot

  1. Dose does not exceed (a and b):
    a. 60 mg every 4 weeks;
    b. 1 vial every 4 weeks.
    Approval duration:
    Medicaid – 12 months
    HIM – refer to HIM.PA.103 for Signifor LAR
    Commercial – 6 months or to the member’s renewal date, whichever is longer

B. Cushing’s Disease (must meet all):

  1. Member meets one of the following (a or b):
    a. Pituitary surgery was not curative;
    b. Member is not eligible for pituitary surgery;
  2. Dose does not exceed one of the following (a or b):
    a. Signifor (i and ii):
    i. 1.8 mg per day;
    ii. 2 ampules per day;
    b. Signifor LAR (i and ii):
    i. 40 mg every 4 weeks
    ii. 1 vial every 4 weeks.
    Approval duration:
    Medicaid – 12 months
    HIM – 12 months for Signifor (refer to HIM.PA.103 for Signifor LAR)
    Commercial – 6 months or to the member’s renewal date, whichever is longer

C. Other diagnoses/indications (must meet 1 or 2):

  1. If this drug has recently (within the last 6 months) undergone a label change (e.g., newly approved indication, age expansion, new dosing regimen) that is not yet reflected in this policy, refer to one of the following policies (a or b):
    a. For drugs on the formulary (commercial, health insurance marketplace) or PDL (Medicaid), the no coverage criteria policy for the relevant line of business: CP.CPA.190 for commercial, HIM.PA.33 for health insurance marketplace, and CP.PMN.255 for Medicaid; or
    b. For drugs NOT on the formulary (commercial, health insurance marketplace) or PDL (Medicaid), the non-formulary policy for the relevant line of business: CP.CPA.190 for commercial, HIM.PA.103 for health insurance marketplace, and CP.PMN.16 for Medicaid; or
  2. If the requested use (e.g., diagnosis, age, dosing regimen) is NOT specifically listed under section III (Diagnoses/Indications for which coverage is NOT authorized) AND criterion 1 above does not apply, refer to the off-label use policy for the relevant line

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of business: CP.CPA.09 for commercial, HIM.PA.154 for health insurance marketplace, and CP.PMN.53 for Medicaid.

II. Continued Therapy

A. Acromegaly (must meet all):

  1. Request is for Signifor LAR;
  2. Member is responding positively to therapy (see Appendix D);
  3. If request is for a dose increase, new dose does not exceed (a and b):
    a. 60 mg every 4 weeks;
    b. 1 vial every 4 weeks.
    Approval duration:
    Medicaid – 12 months
    HIM – refer to HIM.PA.103 for Signifor LAR
    Commercial – 12 months or to the member’s renewal date, whichever is longer

B. Cushing’s Disease (must meet all):

  1. Member is responding positively to therapy (see Appendix D);
  2. If request is for a dose increase, new dose does not exceed one of the following (a or b):
    a. Signifor (i and ii):
    i. 1.8 mg per day;
    ii. 2 ampules per day;
    b. Signifor LAR (i and ii):
    i. 40 mg every 4 weeks;
    ii. 1 vial every 4 weeks.
    Approval duration:
    Medicaid – 12 months
    HIM – 12 months for Signifor (refer to HIM.PA.103 for Signifor LAR)
    Commercial – 6 months or to the member’s renewal date, whichever is longer

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C. Other diagnoses/indications (must meet 1 or 2):

  1. If this drug has recently (within the last 6 months) undergone a label change (e.g., newly approved indication, age expansion, new dosing regimen) that is not yet reflected in this policy, refer to one of the following policies (a or b):
    a. For drugs on the formulary (commercial, health insurance marketplace) or PDL (Medicaid), the no coverage criteria policy for the relevant line of business: CP.CPA.190 for commercial, HIM.PA.33 for health insurance marketplace, and CP.PMN.255 for Medicaid; or
    b. For drugs NOT on the formulary (commercial, health insurance marketplace) or PDL (Medicaid), the non-formulary policy for the relevant line of business: CP.CPA.190 for commercial, HIM.PA.103 for health insurance marketplace, and CP.PMN.16 for Medicaid; or
  2. If the requested use (e.g., diagnosis, age, dosing regimen) is NOT specifically listed under section III (Diagnoses/Indications for which coverage is NOT authorized) AND criterion 1 above does not apply, refer to the off-label use policy for the relevant line of business: CP.CPA.09 for commercial, HIM.PA.154 for health insurance marketplace, and CP.PMN.53 for Medicaid.

III.Diagnoses/Indications for which coverage is NOT authorized:

A. Non-FDA approved indications, which are not addressed in this policy, unless there is sufficient documentation of efficacy and safety according to the off label use policies – CP.CPA.09 for commercial, HIM.PA.154 for health insurance marketplace, and CP.PMN.53 for Medicaid or evidence of coverage documents.

IV.Appendices/General Information

Appendix A: Abbreviation/Acronym Key
FDA: Food and Drug Administration
GH: growth hormone
IGF-I: insulin-like growth factor

Appendix B: Therapeutic Alternatives
This table provides a listing of preferred alternative therapy recommended in the approval criteria. The drugs listed here may not be a formulary agent for all relevant lines of business and may require prior authorization.

Drug Name Dosing Regimen Dose Limit/ Maximum Dose
octreotide acetate (Sandostatin LAR Depot) [IM] 20-40 mg IM every 4 weeks See dosing regimen
lanreotide (Somatuline Depot) 90-20 mg SC every 4 weeks See dosing regimen

Therapeutic alternatives are listed as Brand name® (generic) when the drug is available by brand name only and generic (Brand name®) when the drug is available by both brand and generic.

Appendix C: Contraindications/Boxed Warnings
None reported


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Appendix D: General Information

  • Treatment response for Cushing’s disease may be defined as reduction in 24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) levels and/or improvement in signs or symptoms of the disease. Maximum urinary free cortisol reduction is typically seen by two months of treatment.
  • Examples of treatment response to acromegaly therapy (including somatostatin analogs, surgical resection or pituitary irradiation) include improvement from baseline in or normalization of GH and/or age- and sex-adjusted IGF-I serum concentrations, or tumor mass control.

V. Dosage and Administration

Drug Name Indication Dosing Regimen Maximum Dose
Pasireotide (Signifor) Cushing’s disease Initial: 0.6 mg or 0.9 mg SC BID <br> Recommended dosing range: 0.3 mg to 0.9 mg SC BID 1.8 mg/day
Pasireotide (Signifor LAR) Cushing’s disease 10 mg to 40 mg IM every 4 weeks 40 mg/4 weeks
Pasireotide (Signifor LAR) Acromegaly 40 mg to 60 mg IM every 4 weeks 60 mg/4 weeks

*Signifor LAR must be administered by a healthcare professional

VI.Product Availability

Drug Name Availability
Pasireotide (Signifor) Single-dose ampules for injection: 0.3 mg/mL, 0.6 mg/mL, 0.9 mg/mL
Pasireotide (Signifor LAR) Vials for reconstitution and injectable suspension: 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg

Coding Implications

Codes referenced in this clinical policy are for informational purposes only. Inclusion or exclusion of any codes does not guarantee coverage. Providers should reference the most up-to-date sources of professional coding guidance prior to the submission of claims for reimbursement of covered services.

HCPCS Codes Description
J2502 Injection, pasireotide long acting, 1 mg
J3490 Unclassified drugs

Reviews, Revisions, and Approvals

Reviews, Revisions, and Approvals Date P&T Approval Date
4Q 2021 annual review: no significant changes; updated J code; modified reference from HIM.PHAR.21 to HIM.PA.154; references reviewed and updated 08.12.21 11.21
4Q 2022 annual review: for acromegaly, added confirmatory diagnostic requirements (IGF-I or GH) per PS/ES practice guidelines; references reviewed and updated. Template changes applied to other diagnoses/indications and continued therapy section. 07.20.22 11.22
4Q 2023 annual review: no significant changes; added J3490 code for Signifor; references reviewed and updated. 08.03.23 11.23
4Q 2024 annual review: for acromegaly, revised initial criteria from “(GH) level ≥ 1 µg/mL” to “(GH) level ≥ 1 µg/L” per PS/ES practice guidelines and ACG; references reviewed and updated. 07.15.24 11.24
4Q 2025 annual review: no significant changes; for acromegaly, extended initial approval duration from 6 months to 12 months for Medicaid; for cushing’s disease, extended initial approval duration from 6 months to 12 months for Medicaid and HIM; references reviewed and updated. 07.10.25 11.25
Per December SDC, added redirection to all of the following: lanreotide, octreotide acetate LAR (generic Sandostatin LAR Depot), and brand Sandostatin LAR Depot if octreotide acetate LAR (generic Sandostatin LAR Depot) is unavailable due to shortage; removed Signifor LAR from non-formulary list which references usage of the formulary exception policy (HIM.PA.103). 12.04.25 02.26

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Important Reminder

This clinical policy has been developed by appropriately experienced and licensed health care professionals based on a review and consideration of currently available generally accepted standards of medical practice; peer-reviewed medical literature; government agency/program approval status; evidence-based guidelines and positions of leading national health professional organizations; views of physicians practicing in relevant clinical areas affected by this clinical policy; and other available clinical information. The Health Plan makes no representations and accepts no liability with respect to the content of any external information used or relied upon in developing this clinical policy. This clinical policy is consistent with standards of medical practice current at the time that this clinical policy was approved. “Health Plan” means a health plan that has adopted this clinical policy and that is operated or administered, in whole or in part, by Centene Management Company, LLC, or any of such health plan’s affiliates, as applicable.

The purpose of this clinical policy is to provide a guide to medical necessity, which is a component of the guidelines used to assist in making coverage decisions and administering benefits. It does not constitute a contract or guarantee regarding payment or results. Coverage decisions and the administration of benefits are subject to all terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations of the coverage documents (e.g., evidence of coverage, certificate of coverage, policy, contract of insurance, etc.), as well as to state and federal requirements and applicable Health Plan-level administrative policies and procedures.

This clinical policy is effective as of the date determined by the Health Plan. The date of posting may not be the effective date of this clinical policy. This clinical policy may be subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements relating to provider notification. If there is a discrepancy between the effective date of this clinical policy and any applicable legal or regulatory requirement, the requirements of law and regulation shall govern. The Health Plan retains the right to change, amend or withdraw this clinical policy, and additional clinical policies may be developed and adopted as needed, at any time.

This clinical policy does not constitute medical advice, medical treatment, or medical care. It is not intended to dictate to providers how to practice medicine. Providers are expected to exercise professional medical judgment in providing the most appropriate care, and are solely responsible for the medical advice and treatment of members. This clinical policy is not intended to recommend treatment for members. Members should consult with their treating physician in connection with diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Providers referred to in this clinical policy are independent contractors who exercise independent judgment and over whom the Health Plan has no control or right of control. Providers are not agents or employees of the Health Plan.

This clinical policy is the property of the Health Plan. Unauthorized copying, use, and distribution of this clinical policy or any information contained herein are strictly prohibited. Providers, members, and their representatives are bound to the terms and conditions expressed herein through the terms of their contracts. Where no such contract exists, providers, members and their representatives agree to be bound by such terms and conditions by providing services to members and/or submitting claims for payment for such services.


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Note:

For Medicaid members, when state Medicaid coverage provisions conflict with the coverage provisions in this clinical policy, state Medicaid coverage provisions take precedence. Please refer to the state Medicaid manual for any coverage provisions pertaining to this clinical policy.

©2017 Centene Corporation. All rights reserved. All materials are exclusively owned by Centene Corporation and are protected by United States copyright law and international copyright law. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, modified, distributed, displayed, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means, or otherwise published without the prior written permission of Centene Corporation. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice contained herein. Centene® and Centene Corporation® are registered trademarks exclusively owned by Centene Corporation.

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