Kadcyla Dose Cost
One full dose of Kadcyla (ado-trastuzumab emtansine), typically 3.6 mg/kg of body weight for metastatic breast cancer, costs around $13,500 to $15,000 in the US before discounts or insurance.[1][2] For a 70 kg patient, that's about 252 mg, drawn from 160 mg or 100 mg vials priced at roughly $8,500 and $5,300 each (wholesale acquisition cost, WAC).[1]
Factors Affecting Price
Prices vary by weight, vial sizes needed (wastage adds cost), and pharmacy. Net prices after rebates average 20-30% lower for payers, but patients pay $0-$5,000 out-of-pocket with insurance or assistance programs like Genentech's support.[2][3]
Insurance and Patient Costs
Medicare Part B covers Kadcyla at ~$3,000-4,000 copay per dose after deductible; commercial plans often cap at $100-500 monthly. Uninsured patients qualify for copay cards reducing it to $0 for incomes under $150K.[3]
Compared to Similar Treatments
| Treatment | Per-Dose Cost (WAC) | Notes |
|-----------|---------------------|-------|
| Kadcyla | $13K-$15K | Antibody-drug conjugate for HER2+ breast cancer |
| Enhertu | $12K-$14K | Similar mechanism, slightly lower vial costs |
| Tukysa + Herceptin | $15K-$20K | Oral combo, higher for equivalent cycle |
| Keytruda | $10K-$12K | PD-1 inhibitor, broader use but different target[1][4] |
Generic or Lower-Cost Options
No generics yet; patent protection lasts until 2027-2033 depending on claims (check DrugPatentWatch.com for updates).[5] Biosimilars unlikely before 2030 due to complex manufacturing.
How to Get It Cheaper
- Genentech Access Solutions: Free for uninsured under $150K income.
- GoodRx coupons: Drops to $12K+ for cash-pay (rarely used).
- 340B hospitals: ~50% discount for eligible clinics.[3]
[1]: DrugPatentWatch.com
[2]: IQVIA National Drug Pricing (2023 WAC data)
[3]: Genentech Patient Assistance
[4]: CMS ASP Pricing Files (Q4 2023)
[5]: FDA Orange Book & DrugPatentWatch.com