Clinical Policy: Axatilimab-csfr (Niktimvo) Form

Chat with GenHealth to automate any policy or prior auth task.


Clinical Policy: Axatilimab-csfr (Niktimvo)

Indications

(10001) Is the requested use for treatment? 
(10002) Is the condition chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD)? 
(20001) Has the patient failed at least one prior line of systemic therapy? 
(20002) Has the patient failed at least two prior lines of systemic therapy? 
(30001) Is the patient an adult? 

YesNoN/A
YesNoN/A
YesNoN/A

Sign up to see the rest of the questions

Unlock the remaining questions and the full coverage workflow.

Sign up for free
Effective Date

NA

Last Reviewed

NA

Original Document

  Reference



Clinical Policy: Axatilimab-csfr (Niktimvo)

Reference Number: CP.PHAR.691
Effective Date: 12.01.24
Last Review Date: 11.25
Line of Business: Commercial, HIM, Medicaid

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

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

Description

Axatilimab-csfr (Niktimvo™) is a colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R)-blocking antibody.

FDA Approved Indication(s)

Niktimvo is indicated for the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after failure of at least two prior lines of systemic therapy in adult and pediatric patients weighing at least 40 kg.

Policy/Criteria

*Prescribed regimen must be FDA-approved or recommended by NCCN

Approval duration:
Medicaid/HIM – 12 months
Commercial – 6 months or to the member’s renewal date, whichever is longer

B. 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.

II. Continued Therapy

A. Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease (must meet all):

*Prescribed regimen must be FDA-approved or recommended by NCCN

Approval duration:
Medicaid/HIM – 12 months
Commercial – 6 months or to the member’s renewal date, whichever is longer

B. 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
cGVHD: chronic graft-versus-host disease
CSF-1R: colony stimulating factor-1 receptor
FDA: Food and Drug Administration

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
Systemic corticosteroids (e.g., methylprednisolone, prednisone) Varies Varies
Jakafi (ruxolitinib) Varies Varies
Imbruvica (ibrutinib) Varies Varies
Rezurock (belumosudil) Varies Varies
Orencia® (abatacept)† Varies Varies
alemtuzumab Varies Varies
tacrolimus (Prograf®, Prograf®)† Varies Varies
cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®)† Varies Varies
Enbrel® (etanercept) Varies Varies
imatinib (Gleevec®)† Varies Varies
Proleukin® (aldesleukin) Varies Varies
sirolimus (Rapamune®)† Varies Varies
mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept®)† Varies Varies

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.
†Off-label

CLINICAL POLICY

Axatilimab-csfr

Drug Name Dosing Regimen Dose Limit/Maximum Dose
Nipent™ (pentostatin)† Varies Varies
rituximab (Riabni®, Rituxan®, Ruxience®, Truxima®)† Varies Varies

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.
†Off-label

Appendix C: Contraindications/Boxed Warnings
None reported

V. Dosage and Administration

Indication Dosing Regimen Maximum Dose
cGVHD 0.3 mg/kg (up to a maximum of 35 mg) IV infusion every 2 weeks 35 mg/2 weeks

VI.Product Availability

Single-dose vials: 9 mg/0.18 mL, 22 mg/0.44 mL, 50 mg/mL


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
J9038 Injection, axatilimab-csfr, 0.1 mg
Reviews, Revisions, and Approvals Date P&T Approval Date
Policy created 09.03.24 11.24

CLINICAL POLICY

Axatilimab-csfr

Reviews, Revisions, and Approvals Date P&T Approval Date
RT4: added new dosage strengths of 9 mg/0.18 mL and 22 mg/0.44 mL. HCPCS code added [J9038], removed codes [J3590, C9399]. 02.13.25
4Q 2025 annual review: clarified systemic immunosuppressant as non-steroidal; added step therapy bypass for IL HIM per IL HB 5395; extended initial approval duration for Medicaid and HIM from 6 months to 12 months for this maintenance medication for a chronic condition; references reviewed and updated. 07.23.25 11.25

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

CLINICAL POLICY

Axatilimab-csfr

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.

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.

©2024 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.

Book a walkthrough

Walk through this policy with us

Review how this policy can be converted into cited criteria, prior authorization checks, and operational automation.