Coverage Policy Manual
Policy #: 2020004
Category: Pharmacy
Initiated: March 2020
Last Review: September 2023
  Teprotumumab-trbw (e.g., TEPEZZA™)

Description:
Teprotumumab-trbw is a fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds to insulin-like growth factor-1 receptors (IGF-IR) and blocks activation and signaling. Teprotumumab-trbw is to be used for the treatment of adult individuals with thyroid eye disease (TED).
 
Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune disease of the retroocular tissues occurring in individuals with Grave’s disease. TED, also called Graves’ orbitopathy, causes inflammation and tissue expansion behind the eye leading to proptosis. It is often accompanied by pain, double vision, facial disfigurement and in severe cases blindness. About 90% of individuals with TED have Graves’ disease. Approximately 20-40% of individuals with Graves’ disease will develop TED and will be classified as mild or moderate to severe. It is estimated that 5% of TED individuals will develop moderate to severe symptoms. These include inflamed eyes, increasing diplopia, proptosis > 3 mm above the upper limit of normal for race and gender, and corneal irritation. TED is a self-limiting disease. Individuals experience an active progressive period that moves to an inactive (fibrotic) phase within one to three years. It is important to identify and treat individuals early to minimize damage caused in the active phase of the disease.
 
Teprotumumab-trbw is the first FDA-approved drug for the treatment of TED. Prior management of TED involved reversal of hyperthyroidism, saline eye drops to reduce surface irritation, and glucocorticoids for inflammation in the periorbital tissues. More severe cases are managed with surgical procedures including strabismus correction, eyelid repair, and orbital decompression.
 
The IGF-IRs are overexpressed by orbital fibroblasts and B and T cells in Graves’ disease and TED. IGF-IRs form a physical and functional complex with thyrotropin receptors, which play a crucial role in Graves’ disease. This complex results in inflammation, edema, and expansion of extraocular muscle and adipose tissue. Teprotumumab-trbw diminishes signaling at either receptor and blocks the pathologic immune responses in active TED.
 
Regulator Status
 
Teprotumumab-trbw (e.g., TEPEZZA) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 21, 2020 for the treatment of thyroid eye disease.
 
Coding
 
See CPT/HCPCS Code section below.

Policy/
Coverage:
Effective March 23, 2020, Prior Approval is required for Teprotumumab-trbw (e.g., TEPEZZA™)
 
The initial use of this drug requires documentation of direct physician involvement and signature in the ordering and evaluation as documented in the medical records submitted for prior approval. Concurrent review will require continued evidence of appropriate physician involvement.
 
Effective October 4, 2023
 
Meets Primary Coverage Criteria or Is Covered for Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
 
The use of Teprotumumab-trbw meets member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria that there be scientific evidence of effectiveness in improving health outcomes when ALL the following criteria are met:
 
    1. Individual is 18 years of age or older (Douglas 2020) AND
    2. Prescriber must be an ophthalmologist with experience in the treatment of individuals with thyroid eye disease AND
    3. Photographs of individual's eyes must be submitted for review AND
    4. Individual is euthyroid (verified by submission of current laboratory value, defined as 0-90 days from date of lab draw). Note: Mild hypo- or hyperthyroidism is permitted, defined as free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels less than 50% above or below the normal limits (Douglas 2020) AND
    5. Individual is to be monitored and every effort should be made to remain euthyroid (i.e., levothyroxine, armour thyroid, etc.) throughout Teprotumumab-trbw treatment (Douglas 2020) AND
    6. Individual is diagnosed with active, moderate to severe Graves orbitopathy (at least one of the following) (Douglas 2020):
a. Proptosis 3 mm above the upper limit of normal for race and gender (deJuan 1980)
i. Upper limit of normal for individuals:
          1. African American Female – 23mm
          2. African American Male – 24 mm
          3. White Female – 19 mm
          4. White Male – 21 mm
          5. Asian Female – 16 mm
          6. Asian Male – 17 mm
b. Lid retraction of 2 mm
c. Moderate to severe soft-tissue involvement
d. Periodic or constant diplopia AND  
7. Individual has a Clinical Activity Score 4 (see policy guidelines) in the more proptotic eye (Douglas 2020) AND
8. Attestation that the individual is not pregnant and been informed that appropriate forms of contraception should be implanted prior to initiation, during treatment and for 6 months following the last dose of Teprotumumab-trbw (FDA 2020) AND
9. Will not be used for the following (Douglas, 2020):
a. Previous orbital irradiation or surgery for thyroid eye disease OR
b. Decreasing visual acuity or a visual-field or color vision defect from optic nerve involvement within the previous 6 months OR
c. Current glucocorticoid use OR
d. Any previous treatment with rituximab or tocilizumab OR
e. Pediatric individuals (less than 18 years of age) FDA, 2020) AND
10. Must be dosed in accordance with the FDA label.
 
*Clinical Activity Score (CAS) (Mourits 1997)
CAS is a 7-point scale commonly used in assessing disease activity in individuals with TED. Add 1 point for each finding:
      • Painful feeling behind the globe
      • Pain with eye movement
      • Redness of the eyelids
      • Swelling of the eyelids
      • Redness of the conjunctiva
      • Chemosis (edema of the conjunctiva)
      • Swollen caruncle (flesh body at medial angle of the eye)
 
Dosage and Administration
Dosing per FDA Guidelines
 
Teprotumumab-trbw is administered by intravenous infusion over 60 to 90 minutes.
 
Recommended dose is 10 mg/kg for the first infusion, followed by 20 mg/kg every 3 weeks for 7 additional infusions.
  
Teprotumumab-trbw is available as a 500 mg lyophilized powder in a single-dose vial for reconstitution.   
 
Length of Authorization
Teprorutumumab-trbw will be covered for one course of therapy per lifetime.
 
Please refer to a separate policy on Site of Care or Site of Service Review policy #2018030 for pharmacologic/biologic medications.
 
Does Not Meet Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Investigational For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
 
Teprotumumab-trbw, for any indication or circumstance not described above, does not meet member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria that there be scientific evidence of effectiveness in improving health outcomes.
 
For members with contracts without primary coverage criteria, Teprotumumab-trbw for any indication or circumstance not described above, is considered investigational. Investigational services are specific contract exclusions in most member benefit certificates of coverage.
 
Effective August 24, 2022 to October 3, 2023
 
Meets Primary Coverage Criteria or Is Covered for Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
 
The use of Teprotumumab-trbw meets member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria that there be scientific evidence of effectiveness in improving health outcomes when ALL of the following criteria are met:
 
    1. Individual is 18 years of age or older (Douglas 2020);
    2. Prescriber must be an ophthalmologist with experience in the treatment of patients with thyroid eye disease;
    3. Photographs of individual's eyes must be submitted for review;
    4. Individual is euthyroid (verified by submission of current laboratory value, defined as 0-90 days from date of lab draw). Note: Mild hypo- or hyperthyroidism is permitted, defined as free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels less than 50% above or below the normal limits (Douglas 2020);
    5. Individual is to be monitored and every effort should be made to remain euthyroid (i.e. levothyroxine, armour thyroid, etc.) throughout Teprotumumab-trbw treatment (Douglas 2020);
    6. Individual is diagnosed with active, moderate to severe Graves orbitopathy (at least one of the following) (Douglas 2020):
      • Proptosis 3mm above the upper limit of normal for race and gender (deJuan 1980)
        • Upper limit of normal for patients:
          • African American Female – 23mm
          • African American Male – 24 mm
          • White Female – 19 mm
          • White Male – 21 mm
          • Asian Female – 16 mm
          • Asian Male – 17 mm
      • Lid retraction of 2mm
      • Moderate to severe soft-tissue involvement
      • Periodic or constant diplopia
7. Ocular symptoms began in individual within the past 16 months (Douglas 2020);
8. Individual has a Clinical Activity Score 4 (see policy guidelines) in the more proptotic eye (Douglas 2020);
9. Attestation that the patient is not pregnant and been informed that appropriate forms of contraception should be implanted prior to initiation, during treatment and for 6 months following the last dose of Teprotumumab-trbw (FDA 2020).
 
*Clinical Activity Score (CAS) (Mourits 1997)
CAS is a 7-point scale commonly used in assessing disease activity in patients with TED. Add 1 point for each finding:
    • Painful feeling behind the globe
    • Pain with eye movement
    • Redness of the eyelids
    • Swelling of the eyelids
    • Redness of the conjunctiva
    • Chemosis (edema of the conjunctiva)
    • Swollen caruncle (flesh body at medial angle of the eye)
 
Dosage and Administration (FDA 2020)
 
Teprotumumab-trbw is administered by intravenous infusion over 60 to 90 minutes. Recommended dose is 10mg/kg for the first infusion, followed by 20mg/kg every 3 weeks for 7 additional infusions. Teprotumumab-trbw is available as a 500mg lyophilized powder in a single-dose vial for reconstitution.   
 
Length of Authorization
Teprorutumumab-trbw will be covered for one course of therapy per lifetime
 
Please refer to a separate policy on Site of Care or Site of Service Review policy #2018030 for pharmacologic/biologic medications.
 
Does Not Meet Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Investigational For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
 
The use of Teprotumumab-trbw does not meet member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria when the above requirements are not met and for all other conditions, including but not limited to use when any of the following exclusion criteria are present (Douglas, 2020):
    1. Previous orbital irradiation or surgery for thyroid eye disease;
    2. Decreasing visual acuity or a visual-field or color vision defect from optic nerve involvement within the previous 6 months;
    3. Current glucocorticoid use;
    4. Any previous treatment with rituximab or tocilizumab;
    5. Pediatric patients (less than 18 years of age) (FDA 2020)
 
For members with contracts without primary coverage criteria, the use of Teprotumumab-trbw for any indication or circumstance not described above, is considered investigational, including but not limited to use when any of the following exclusion criteria are present (Douglas, 2020):
    1. Previous orbital irradiation or surgery for thyroid eye disease;
    2. Decreasing visual acuity or a visual-field or color vision defect from optic nerve involvement within the previous 6 months;
    3. Current glucocorticoid use;
    4. Any previous treatment with rituximab or tocilizumab;
    5. Pediatric patients (less than 18 years of age) (FDA 2020)
 
Investigational services are specific contract exclusions in most member benefit certificates of coverage.
 
Effective January 2022 to August 23, 2022
 
Meets Primary Coverage Criteria or Is Covered for Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
 
The use of Teprotumumab-trbw meets member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria that there be scientific evidence of effectiveness when ALL of the following criteria are met:
  1. Individual is 18 years of age or older (Douglas 2020);
  2. Prescriber must be an ophthalmologist with experience in the treatment of patients with thyroid eye disease;
  3. Photographs of individual's eyes must be submitted for review;
  4. Individual is euthyroid (verified by submission of current laboratory value, defined as 0-90 days from date of lab draw).
  5.      Note: Mild hypo- or hyperthyroidism is permitted, defined as free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels less than 50% above or below the normal limits (Douglas 2020);
  6. Individual is to be monitored and every effort should be made to remain euthyroid (i.e. levothyroxine, armour thyroid, etc.) throughout Teprotumumab-trbw treatment (Douglas 2020);
  7. Individual is diagnosed with active, moderate to severe Graves orbitopathy (at least one of the following) (Douglas 2020):
    • Proptosis 3mm above the upper limit of normal for race and gender (deJuan 1980)
Upper limit of normal for patients:
          • African American Female – 23mm
          • African American Male – 24 mm
          • White Female – 19 mm
          • White Male – 21 mm
          • Asian Female – 16 mm
          • Asian Male – 17 mm
    • Lid retraction of 2mm
    • Moderate to severe soft-tissue involvement
    • Periodic or constant diplopia
7. Ocular symptoms began in individual within the past 9 months (Douglas 2020);
8. Individual has a Clinical Activity Score 4 (see policy guidelines) in the more proptotic eye (Douglas 2020);
9. Attestation that the patient is not pregnant and been informed that appropriate forms of contraception should be implanted prior to initiation, during treatment and for 6 months following the last dose of Teprotumumab-trbw (FDA 2020).
 
Exclusion Criteria (Douglas 2020):
      1. Previous orbital irradiation or surgery for thyroid eye disease;
      2. decreasing visual acuity or a visual-field or color vision defect from optic nerve involvement within the previous 6 months;
      3. current glucocorticoid use;
      4. any previous treatment with rituximab or tocilizumab;
      5. pediatric patients (less than 18 years of age) (FDA 2020)
 
*Clinical Activity Score (CAS) (Mourits 1997)
CAS is a 7-point scale commonly used in assessing disease activity in patients with TED. Add 1 point for each finding:
          • Painful feeling behind the globe
          • Pain with eye movement
          • Redness of the eyelids
          • Swelling of the eyelids
          • Redness of the conjunctiva
          • Chemosis (edema of the conjunctiva)
          • Swollen caruncle (flesh body at medial angle of the eye)
 
Dosage and Administration (FDA 2020)
Teprotumumab-trbw is administered by intravenous infusion over 60 to 90 minutes. Recommended dose is 10mg/kg for the first infusion, followed by 20mg/kg every 3 weeks for 7 additional infusions. Teprotumumab-trbw is available as a 500mg lyophilized powder in a single-dose vial for reconstitution.   
 
Length of Authorization
Teprorutumumab-trbw will be covered for one course of therapy per lifetime
 
 
Please refer to a separate policy on Site of Care or Site of Service Review policy #2018030 for pharmacologic/biologic medications.
 
Does Not Meet Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Investigational For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
 
The use of Teprotumumab-trbw does not meet member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria when the above requirements are not met and for all other conditions, including but not limited to use when any of the following exclusion criteria are present (Douglas, 2020):
    • Previous orbital irradiation or surgery for thyroid eye disease;
    • decreasing visual acuity or a visual-field or color vision defect from optic nerve involvement within the previous 6 months;
    • current glucocorticoid use;
    • any previous treatment with rituximab or tocilizumab;
    • pediatric patients (less than 18 years of age) (FDA 2020)
 
For members with contracts without primary coverage criteria, Teprotumumab-trbw is considered investigational when the above requirements are not met and for all other conditions, including but not limited to use when any of the following exclusion criteria are present (Douglas, 2020):
    • Previous orbital irradiation or surgery for thyroid eye disease;
    • decreasing visual acuity or a visual-field or color vision defect from optic nerve involvement within the previous 6 months;
    • current glucocorticoid use;
    • any previous treatment with rituximab or tocilizumab;
    • pediatric patients (less than 18 years of age) (FDA 2020)
 
Investigational services are specific contract exclusions in most member benefit certificates of coverage.
 
Effective September 2020 – December 31, 2022
 
Effective March 23, 2020, Prior Approval is required for Teprotumumab-trbw (TEPEZZA™)
 
The initial use of this drug requires documentation of direct physician involvement and signature in the ordering and evaluation as documented in the medical records submitted for prior approval. Concurrent review will require continued evidence of appropriate physician involvement.
 
Effective September 2020
 
Meets Primary Coverage Criteria or Is Covered for Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
 
The use of Teprotumumab-trbw meets member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria that there be scientific evidence of effectiveness when ALL of the following criteria are met:
    1. Individual is 18 years of age or older;
    2. Prescriber must be an ophthalmologist with experience in the treatment of patients with thyroid eye disease;
    3. Photographs of individual's eyes must be submitted for review;
    4. Individual is euthyroid (verified by submission of current laboratory value, defined as 0-90 days from date of lab draw). Note: mild hypo- or hyperthyroidism is permitted, defined as free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels less than 50% above or below the normal limits;
    5. Individual is to be monitored and every effort should be made to remain euthyroid (i.e. levothyroxine, armour thyroid, etc.) throughout Teprotumumab-trbw treatment;
    6. Individual is diagnosed with moderate to severe Graves orbitopathy (at least one of the following):
      • Proptosis 3mm above the upper limit of normal for race and gender
              1. Upper limit of normal for patients:
                • African American Female – 23mm
                • African American Male – 24 mm
                • White Female – 19 mm
                • White Male – 21 mm
                • Asian Female – 16 mm
                • Asian Male – 17 mm
      • Lid retraction of 2mm
      • Moderate to severe soft-tissue involvement
      • Periodic or consistent diplopia
7. Ocular symptoms began in individual within the past 12 months;
8. Individual has a Clinical Activity Score 4 (see policy guidelines) in the more proptotic eye;
9. Attestation that the patient is not pregnant and been informed that appropriate forms of contraception should be implanted prior to initiation, during treatment and for 6 months following the last dose of Teprotumumab-trbw;
10. Patient has failed an adequate trial of prior treatment with oral or IV glucocorticoids.
 
*Clinical Activity Score (CAS)
CAS is a 7-point scale commonly used in assessing disease activity in patients with TED. Add 1 point for each finding:
      • Painful feeling behind the globe
      • Pain with eye movement
      • Redness of the eyelids
      • Swelling of the eyelids
      • Redness of the conjunctiva
      • Chemosis (edema of the conjunctiva)
      • Swollen caruncle (flesh body at medial angle of the eye)
 
Dosage and Administration
Teprotumumab-trbw is administered by intravenous infusion over 60 to 90 minutes. Recommended dose is 10mg/kg for the first infusion, followed by 20mg/kg every 3 weeks for 7 additional infusions. Teprotumumab-trbw is available as a 500mg lyophilized powder in a single-dose vial for reconstitution.   
 
Length of Authorization
Teprorutumumab-trbw will be covered for one course of therapy per lifetime
 
 
Please refer to a separate policy on Site of Care or Site of Service Review policy #2018030 for pharmacologic/biologic medications.
 
Does Not Meet Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Investigational For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
 
The use of Teprotumumab-trbw does not meet member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria when the above requirements are not met and for all other conditions.
 
For members with contracts without primary coverage criteria, Teprotumumab-trbw is considered investigational. Investigational services are specific contract exclusions in most member benefit certificates of coverage
 
Effective Prior to September 2020
 
Meets Primary Coverage Criteria or Is Covered for Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
 
The use of Teprotumumab-trbw meets member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria that there be scientific evidence of effectiveness.
 
Member must meet all of the following:
    1. Individual is 18 years of age or older
    2. Prescriber must be an ophthalmologist with experience in the treatment of patients with thyroid eye disease.
    3. Photographs of individuals eyes must be submitted for review
    4. Individual is euthyroid (verified by submission of current laboratory value). Note: mild hypo- or hyperthyroidism is permitted, defined as free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels less than 50% above or below the normal limits.
    5. Individual is to be monitored and every effort should be made to remain euthyroid (i.e. levothyroxine, armour thyroid, etc.) throughout Teprotumumab-trbw treatment
    6. Individual is diagnosed with moderate to severe Graves orbitopathy (at least one of the following):
        • Proptosis 3mm above the upper limit of normal for race and gender
            1. Upper limit of normal for patients:
                • African American Female – 23mm
                • African American Male – 24 mm
                • White Female – 19 mm
                • White Male – 21 mm
                • Asian Female – 16 mm
                • Asian Male – 17 mm
        • Lid retraction of 2mm
        • Moderate to severe soft-tissue involvement
        • Periodic or consistent diplopia
7. Ocular symptoms began in individual within the past 12 months
8. Individual has a Clinical Activity Score 4 (see policy guidelines) in the more proptotic eye
9. Attestation that the patient is not pregnant and been informed that appropriate forms of contraception should be implanted prior to initiation, during treatment and for 6 months following the last dose of Teprotumumab-trbw
10. Patient has failed an adequate trial of prior treatment with oral or IV glucocorticoids
 
 
*Clinical Activity Score (CAS)
CAS is a 7-point scale commonly used in assessing disease activity in patients with TED. Add 1 point for each finding
    • Painful feeling behind the globe
    • Pain with eye movement
    • Redness of the eyelids
    • Swelling of the eyelids
    • Redness of the conjunctiva
    • Chemosis (edema of the conjunctiva)
    • Swollen caruncle (flesh body at medial angle of the eye)
 
Dosage and Administration
 
Teprotumumab-trbw is administered by intravenous infusion over 60 to 90 minutes. Recommended dose is 10mg/kg for the first infusion, followed by 20mg/kg every 3 weeks for 7 additional infusions. Teprotumumab-trbw is available as a 500mg lyophilized powder in a single-dose vial for reconstitution.   
 
Length of Authorization
Teprorutumumab-trbw will be covered for one course of therapy per lifetime
 
 
Please refer to a separate policy on Site of Care or Site of Service Review policy #2018030 for pharmacologic/biologic medications.
 
 
Does Not Meet Primary Coverage Criteria Or Is Investigational For Contracts Without Primary Coverage Criteria
 
The use of Teprotumumab-trbw does not meet member benefit certificate primary coverage criteria when the above requirements are not met and for all other conditions.
 
For members with contracts without primary coverage criteria, Teprotumumab-trbw is considered investigational. Investigational services are specific contract exclusions in most member benefit certificates of coverage.

Rationale:
In a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, phase 3 multicenter trial, patients with active TED were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive intravenous infusion of Teprotumumab-trbw or placebo once every 3 weeks for 21 weeks. Teprotumumab-trbw was administered as 10mg per kilogram of body weight for the first infusion and 20mg per kilogram for subsequent infusions. Patients were eligible for the trial if they were 18 to 80 years of age, had received a diagnosis of Graves’ disease, had active, moderate-to-severe TED, had ocular symptoms that began within 9 months before the baseline assessment, and had a CAS of at least 4. Moderate-to-severe TED was defined as patients having at least one of the following: lid retraction of ≥2 mm, moderate to severe soft-tissue involvement, proptosis of ≥3 mm above the normal values for race and sex, and periodic or constant diplopia. Patients were required to be euthyroid throughout trial. Exclusion criteria included previous orbital irradiation or surgery for TED, decreasing visual acuity or a visual-field or color vision defect from optic nerve involvement within the previous 6 months, glucocorticoid use, and any previous treatment with rituximab or tocilizumab. A total of 41 patients were assigned to the Teprotumumab-trbw group and 42 patients to the placebo group. At week 24, the percentage of patients with a proptosis response (a reduction in proptosis of ≥2 mm) was higher with Teprotumumab-trbw at 83% (34 patients) than with placebo at 10% (4 patients). All secondary outcomes were significantly better with Teprotumumab-trbw than with placebo at week 24. This included an overall response (a reduction of ≥2 points in the CAS plus a reduction in proptosis of ≥2 mm) of 78% in patients receiving Teprotumumab-trbw versus 7% in patients receiving placebo, a CAS of 0 or 1 in 59% of patients receiving Teprotumumab-trbw versus 21% in patients receiving placebo, a mean change in proptosis across trial visits of -2.82 mm in the patients receiving Teprotumumab-trbw versus -0.54 mm in patients receiving placebo, a reduction in diplopia of ≥1 grade in 68% of the Teprotumumab-trbw patients versus 29% of the placebo patients, and the mean change in overall score on the Graves’ ophthalmopathy-specific quality-of-life questionnaire across trial visits was 13.79 points in the patients receiving Teprotumumab-trbw versus 7.43 points in the patients receiving placebo. Most adverse events were mild or moderate in severity. Two serious events occurred in the Teprotumumab-trbw group, of which one (an infusion reaction) led to treatment discontinuation.
Teprotumumab-trbw resulted in better outcomes with respect to proptosis, CAS, diplopia, and quality of life than placebo in patients with active TED.
 
2021 Update
Annual policy review completed with a literature search using the MEDLINE database through March 2021. No new literature was identified that would prompt a change in the coverage statement.
 
2022 Update
Annual policy review completed with a literature search using the MEDLINE database through September 2022. No new literature was identified that would prompt a change in the coverage statement.
 
2023 Update
Annual policy review completed with a literature search using the MEDLINE database through September 2023.
 
October 2023 Update
TEPEZZA was evaluated in 2 randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled studies in 171 patients with Thyroid Eye Disease: Study 1 (NCT01868997) and Study 2 (NCT03298867). Patients were randomized to receive TEPEZZA or placebo in a 1:1 ratio. Patients were given intravenous infusions (10 mg/kg for first infusion and 20 mg/kg for the remaining 7 infusions) every 3 weeks for a total of 8 infusions. Patients had a clinical diagnosis of Thyroid Eye Disease with symptoms and were euthyroid or had thyroxine and free triiodothyronine levels less than 50% above or below normal
limits. Prior surgical treatment for Thyroid Eye Disease was not permitted. Proptosis ranged from 16 to 33 mm and 125 patients (73%) had diplopia at baseline.
 
 
A total of 84 patients were randomized to TEPEZZA and 87 patients were randomized to placebo. The median age was 52 years (range 20 to 79 years), 86% were White, 9% were Black or African American, 4% were Asian and 1% identified as Other. The majority (73%) were female. At baseline, 27% of patients were smokers.
 
 
The proptosis responder rate at week 24 was defined as the percentage of patients with ≥2 mm reduction in proptosis in the study eye from baseline, without deterioration in the non-study eye (≥2 mm increase) in proptosis. Additional evaluations included signs and symptoms of Thyroid Eye Disease including pain, gaze evoked orbital pain, swelling, eyelid erythema, redness, chemosis, inflammation, clinical activity score and assessments of functional vision and patient appearance.
 
In Study 2, improvement of proptosis as measured by mean change from Baseline was observed as early as 6 weeks and continued to improve through week 24.
 
TEPEZZA also led to improvement in the less severely impacted “fellow” eye.
 
Diplopia (double vision) was evaluated in a subgroup of patients that had diplopia at baseline in Study 1 and 2.
 
Following discontinuation of treatment in Study 1, 53% of patients (16 of 30 patients) who were proptosis responders at week 24 maintained proptosis response 51 weeks after the last TEPEZZA infusion. 67% of patients (12 of 18) who were diplopia responders at week 24 maintained diplopia response 51 weeks after the last TEPEZZA infusion.
 
Subgroups
Examination of age and gender subgroups did not identify differences in response to TEPEZZA among these subgroups. Reduction in proptosis was similar between smokers and non-smokers in both studies. (FDA, 2023)

CPT/HCPCS:
J3241Injection, teprotumumab trbw, 10 mg
J3490Unclassified drugs
J3590Unclassified biologics

References: Davies T, et al.(2020) Treatment of Graves’ Orbitopathy (Ophthalmopathy). Ross D, ed. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com. Accessed February 2020.

de Juan E Jr, Hurley DP, Sapira JD.(1980) Racial differences in normal values of proptosis. Arch Intern Med 1980; 140:1230.

Douglas RS, et al. 2020.(2020) Teprotumumab for the Treatment of Active Thyroid Disease. New Engl J Med. 382:341-352. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1910434.

Mamoojee Y, Pearce SHS.(2017) Natural History. In: Wiersinga WM, Kahaly GJ (eds): Graves’ Orbitopathy: A Multidisciplinary Approach – Questions and Answers. Basel, Karger. 2017:93-104.

Mourits MP, Koornneef L, Wiersinga WM, et al.(1989) Clinical criteria for the assessment of disease activity in Graves' ophthalmopathy: A novel approach. Br J Ophthalmol 1989; 73:639.

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).(2021) TEPEZZA (teprotumumab-trbw) [prescribing information] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/761143s014lbl.pdf Accessed on August 19, 2022.

Horizon Therapeutics. Horizon Therapeutics plc Announces FDA Approval of an Update to the Indication Language for Tepezza (teprotumumab-trbw) to Specify its Use in Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) Patients Regardless of Disease Activity or Duration Available at: Horizon Therapeutics plc Announces FDA Approval of an Update to the Indication Language for TEPEZZA® (teprotumumab-trbw) to Specify its Use in Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) Patients Regardless of Disease Activity or Duration | Horizon Therapeutics plc. Accessed on September 18, 2023.

Kahaly GJ, Douglas RS, Holt RJ et al.(2021) Teprotumumab for patients with active thyroid eye disease: a pooled data analysis, subgroup analyses, and off-treatment follow-up results from two randomised, double-masked, placebo-controlled, multicentre trials. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2021 Jun;9(6):360-372. doi: 10.1016/S2213-8587(21)00056-5. Epub 2021 Apr 15. PMID: 33865501.

Smith TJ, et al. 2017.(2017) Teprotumumab for Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy. New Engl J Med. 376: 1748-1761. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1614949

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).(2023) Tepezza. Prescribing Information. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/761143s023lbl.pdf. Last accessed September 18, 2023.


Group specific policy will supersede this policy when applicable. This policy does not apply to the Wal-Mart Associates Group Health Plan participants or to the Tyson Group Health Plan participants.
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