Projecting overall survival data for health-economic models in oncology: Do maturity levels impact uncertainty?

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Background: A lifetime horizon is recommended for health-economic evaluation of anticancer drugs. If overall survival (OS) data is immature, extrapolation of the Kaplan-Meier (KM) curve using distributions is done to obtain long-term data. Depending on OS maturity, the distribution chosen may impact estimation of life expectancy (LE) and of life years gained (LYG) between treatments. This study aimed to estimate the error (on LE and LYG) induced by the choice of extrapolation distributions, for 2 levels of OS maturity (30% and 50%), as compared to LE and LYG at full maturity. Methods: Fifteen phase 3 trials published between 2013 and 2017 containing OS KM curves were selected if maturity > 70% (Full). To test 2 maturity levels, each KM curve was truncated at 30% and 50%. A 3-step process was performed: 1) KM was digitalized, 2) individual patient-data was reproduced using the Guyot algorithm, and 3) 5 parametric survival distributions were fit using the R-Survival package. For each study, the process was done for each treatment arm and each of the 3 maturity levels on the same time horizon, equal to the maximum follow-up of the study. For each curve, the best distribution was chosen by a board of 2 oncologists and 2 health-economists, based on visual inspection, Akaike/Bayesian Information criteria and external validity. Results: Based on the board review of the 90 KM curves, main chosen distributions were Weibull (33%), Log-logistic (32%) and Log-normal (27%). As compared to LE at full maturity, LE was overestimated in 23% and 40% at 30% and 50% maturity, respectively. Mean absolute error was 0.88 at 30% maturity, and decreased to 2.12 at 50% maturity, i.e. estimation was 2.4 times better from 30% to 50% maturity. On average, at 30% maturity versus full, mean percentage of error in LYG was 126.4% and 62.4% at 50% maturity versus full. Conclusions: The use of immature OS data increases the risk of error when projecting long-term LE. Even marginal gains in OS maturity can be translated in more accurate estimations and guide health-economist in developing models.

Partial versus whole breast irradiation: Side effects, patient satisfaction and costs

PURPOSE

Since accelerated partial breast irradiation has demonstrated non-inferiority to whole breast irradiation regarding recurrence rate in patients with early stage breast cancer, our objective was to compare its impact on short-term adverse events, patient satisfaction and costs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with early stage breast cancer treated by breast-conserving surgery between 2007 and 2012 were included: 48 women who received three-dimensional conformal accelerated partial breast irradiation in a multicentre phase-II trial were paired with 48 patients prospectively treated with whole breast irradiation. Adverse events, and patients' opinions concerning cosmesis, satisfaction and pain, were gathered 1 month after treatment. Direct and indirect costs were collected from the French National Health Insurance System perspective until the end of radiotherapy.

RESULTS

When comparing its impact, skin reactions occurred in 37% of patients receiving three-dimensional conformal accelerated partial breast radiotherapy and 60% of patients receiving whole breast irradiation (P=0.07); 98% were very satisfied in the group three-dimensional conformal accelerated partial breast radiotherapy versus 46% in the group treated with whole breast irradiation (P<0.001); direct costs were significantly lower in the group treated with partial breast irradiation (mean cost: 2510€ versus 5479€/patient), due to less radiation sessions.

CONCLUSION

In patients with early-stage breast cancer, partial irradiation offered a good alternative to whole breast irradiation, as it was less expensive and satisfactory. These, and the clinical safety and tolerance results, need to be confirmed by long-term accelerated partial breast irradiation results in on-going phase III trials.

Quality of life and cost of strategies of two chemotherapy lines in metastatic colorectal cancer: results of the FFCD 2000-05 trial

Objectives: This study compared the cost and quality of life (QoL) of 407 advanced colorectal cancer patients, randomly assigned to receive LV5FU2 followed by FOLFOX6 (sequential strategy) or FOLFOX6 followed by FOLFIRI (combination strategy). Methods: Costs were compared from the French health insurance perspective, until the end of the second line of treatment. Consumed resources, collected during the trial, included medicines, hospitalizations, examinations, and transportation. Valuations were made using 2009 and 2016 tariffs. QoL was assessed using the QLQ-C30 questionnaire and clinically significant variations were searched. Results: In 2009, the mean cost per patient was significantly lower for the sequential strategy compared to the combination strategy (18,061€ and 23,119€, p = 0.001). In 2016, the difference was no longer significant (16,876€ and 18,090€, p = 0.41) because oxaliplatin and irinotecan became generics. The QoL analysis (292 patients) showed that there was significantly less improvement of global health status in the sequential strategy than in the combination strategy (29% and 42%; p = 0.02) during first-line therapy. No significant differences were observed for emotional functioning (p = 0.45) and physical functioning (p = 0.07) or during second-line therapy. Conclusion: The choice to treat patients with advanced colorectal cancer using one or the other strategy cannot be based on costs or QoL.

Projecting Pharmaceutical Expenditure in EU5 to 2021: Adjusting for the Impact of Discounts and Rebates

BACKGROUND

Within (European) healthcare systems, the predominant goal for pharmaceutical expenditure is cost containment. This is due to a general belief among healthcare policy makers that pharmaceutical expenditure-driven by high prices-will be unsustainable unless further reforms are enacted.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this paper is to provide more realistic expectations of pharmaceutical expenditure for all key stakeholder groups by estimating pharmaceutical expenditure at 'net' prices. We also aim to estimate any gaps developing between list and net pharmaceutical expenditure for the EU5 countries (i.e. France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK).

METHODS

We adjusted an established forecast of pharmaceutical expenditure for the EU5 countries, from 2017 to 2021, by reflecting discounts and rebates not previously considered, i.e. we moved from 'list' to 'net' prices, as far as data were available.

RESULTS

We found an increasing divergence between expenditure measured at list and net prices. When the forecasts for the five countries were aggregated, the EU5 (unweighted) average historical growth (2010-2016) rate fell from 3.4% compound annual growth rate at list to 2.5% at net. For the forecast, the net growth rate was estimated at 1.5 versus 2.9% at list.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that future growth in pharmaceutical expenditure in Europe is likely to be (1) lower than previously understood from forecasts based on list prices and (2) below predicted healthcare expenditure growth in Europe and in line with long-term economic growth rates. For policy makers concerned about the sustainability of pharmaceutical expenditure, this study may provide some comfort, in that the perceived problem is not as large as expected.

Update of survival and cost of metastatic melanoma with new drugs: Estimations from the MelBase cohort

PURPOSE

Since 2011, significant progress was observed in metastatic melanoma (MM), with the commercialisation of seven immunotherapies or targeted therapies, which showed significant improvement in survival. In France, in 2004, the cost of MM was estimated at €1634 per patient; this cost has not been re-estimated since. This study provided an update on survival and cost in real-life clinical practice.

METHODS

Clinical and economic data (treatments, hospitalisations, radiotherapy sessions, visits, imaging and biological exams) were extracted from the prospective MelBase cohort, collecting individual data in 955 patients in 26 hospitals, from diagnosis of metastatic disease until death. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Costs were calculated from the health insurance perspective using French tariffs. For live patients, survival and costs were extrapolated using a multistate model, describing the 5-year course of the disease according to patient prognostic factors and number of treatment lines.

RESULTS

Since the availability of new drugs, the mean survival time of MM patients has increased to 23.6 months (_95%confidence interval [CI] :21.2;26.6), with 58% of patients receiving a second line of treatment. Mean management costs increased to €269,682 (_95%CI:244,196;304,916) per patient. Drugs accounted for 80% of the total cost.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first that evaluated the impact of immunotherapies and targeted therapies both on survival and cost in real-life conditions. Alongside the introduction of breakthrough therapies in the first and subsequent lines, MM has been associated with a significant increase in survival but also in costs, raising the question of financial sustainability.

Follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer - what should (and what should not) be done

The treatment paradigm for thyroid cancer has shifted from a one-size-fits-all approach to more personalized protocols that range from active surveillance to total thyroidectomy followed by radioiodine remnant ablation. Accurate surveillance tools are available, but follow-up protocols vary widely between centres and clinicians, owing to the lack of clear, straightforward recommendations on the instruments and assessment schedule that health-care professionals should adopt. For most patients (that is, those who have had an excellent response to the initial treatment and have a low or intermediate risk of tumour recurrence), an infrequent assessment schedule is sufficient (such as a yearly determination of serum levels of TSH and thyroglobulin). Select patients will benefit from second-line imaging and more frequent assessments. This Review discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the surveillance tools and follow-up strategies that clinicians use as a function of the initial treatment and each patient's risk of recurrence.

Outcome after ablation in patients with low-risk thyroid cancer (ESTIMABL1): 5-year follow-up results of a randomised, phase 3, equivalence trial

BACKGROUND

In ESTIMABL1, a randomised phase 3 trial of radioactive iodine (131I) administration after complete surgical resection in patients with low-risk thyroid cancer, 92% of patients had complete thyroid ablation at 6-10 months, defined as a recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH)-stimulated serum thyroglobulin concentration of 1 ng/mL or less and normal findings on neck ultrasonography. Equivalence was shown between low-activity (1·1 GBq) and high-activity (3·7 GBq) radioactive iodine and also between the use of rhTSH injections and thyroid hormone withdrawal. Here, we report outcomes after 5 years of follow-up.

METHODS

This multicentre, randomised, open-label, equivalence trial was done at 24 centres in France. Between March 28, 2007, and Feb 25, 2010, we randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) adults with low-risk differentiated thyroid carcinoma who had undergone total thyroidectomy to one of four strategies, each combining one of two methods of thyrotropin stimulation (rhTSH or thyroid hormone withdrawal) and one of two radioactive iodine activities (1·1 GBq or 3·7 GBq). Randomisation was by computer-generated sequence, with variable block size. Follow-up consisted of a yearly serum thyroglobulin measurement on levothyroxine treatment. Measurement of rhTSH-stimulated thyroglobulin and neck ultrasonography were done at the discretion of the treating physician. No evidence of disease was defined as serum thyroglobulin of 1 ng/mL or less on levothyroxine treatment and normal results on neck ultrasonography, when performed. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00435851.

FINDINGS

726 patients (97% of the 752 patients originally randomised) were followed up. At a median follow-up since randomisation of 5·4 years (range 0·5-9·2), 715 (98%) had no evidence of disease. The other 11 had either structural disease (n=4), raised serum thyroglobulin concentration (n=5), or indeterminate findings on neck ultrasonography (n=2). At ablation, six of these patients had received 1·1 GBq radioactive iodine (five after rhTSH and one after withdrawal) and five had received 3·7 GBq (two after rhTSH and three after withdrawal). TSH-stimulated (either after rhTSH injections or thyroid hormone withdrawal according to the treatment group) thyroglobulin concentration measured at the time of ablation was prognostic for structural disease status at ablation, ablation status at 6-10 months, and the final outcome.

INTERPRETATION

Our findings suggest that disease recurrence was not related to the strategy used for ablation. These data validate the use of 1·1 GBq radioactive iodine after rhTSH for postoperative ablation in patients with low-risk thyroid cancer.

FUNDING

French National Cancer Institute (INCa), French Ministry of Health, and Sanofi Genzyme.

Single-use flexible bronchoscopes compared with reusable bronchoscopes: Positive organizational impact but a costly solution

RATIONALE, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES

There is at present no standard methodology to analyse the organizational impacts (OIs) of medical devices (MDs), and the field is still in its infancy. The aim of the present study was to assess, at a hospital level, the organizational and economic impacts of the introduction of a new MD, specifically the single-use flexible bronchoscope (FB).

METHODS

Both the organizational and economic impacts of the single-use FB were evaluated in comparison with the reusable FB currently used as standard practice in our institution. First, process maps were created for both devices (reusable and single use). Based on the 12 types of OI defined by Roussel et al, interviews were conducted with all stakeholders, and the positive and negative aspects of the reusable and single-use processes were analysed. In a second step, microcosting analysis was conducted to determine the most economical balance in use of the 2 technologies.

RESULTS

Process maps highlighted the complexity of the reusable device process when compared with the single-use device process. Among the 12 types of OI, the single-use FB process scored better than the reusable FB process in 75% of cases. With the "fleet" of 15 reusable FBs available in our institution, using single-use FBs would represent an extra cost of €154 per procedure. Single-use and reusable devices would have the same cost (€232 per procedure) with a theoretical annual activity of 328 bronchoscopies, which is much lower than our current activity (1644 procedures per year).

CONCLUSIONS

Organizational impact should be considered when assessing MDs. We show in this study that from an organizational viewpoint, there are many advantages to using single-use bronchoscopes. However, in economic impact, it is more cost-effective for our institution, with more than 1500 bronchoscopies performed annually, to use reusable devices.

Olanzapine as antiemetic drug in oncology: a retrospective study in non-responders to standard antiemetic therapy

Background The role of olanzapine in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in addition to the antiemetic therapeutic combination with aprepitant, setrons, and corticosteroids has not been well defined. Objective To investigate the effectiveness of the addition of olanzapine to a standard triplet therapy for the prevention of CINV in patients who experienced CINV during their first chemotherapy course, despite receiving a well-managed prevention protocol. Setting One comprehensive cancer centre in France. Method In a retrospective study with comparator, patients with a high risk of emesis were assigned to two groups during two different 6-month periods, before and after the introduction of olanzapine in clinical practice, respectively. In the olanzapine group, the antiemetic protocol for the second course of chemotherapy was reinforced by the addition of olanzapine at 5 mg/day from day 1 to 5 in contrast with the control group. Main outcome measure The proportion of patients who experienced neither nausea nor emesis during the delayed phase (24-120 h). Results The 25 patients in each group exhibited comparable characteristics and emetic chemotherapy level. During the first course, no significant difference was observed. During the second course, nausea and vomiting were ameliorated in 12 patients in the olanzapine group and 4 patients in the control group (p < 0.05). Nausea (12 vs. 4, p < 0.05) and vomiting (18 vs. 11, p < 0.05) also significantly improved. In the OLZ group, no adverse event was linked to olanzapine use. Conclusion The addition of olanzapine was observed to effectively restore CINV prevention in patients who did not respond to standard antiemetic therapy.

Cost of cancer diagnosis using next-generation sequencing targeted gene panels in routine practice: a nationwide French study

It is currently unclear if next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies can be implemented in the diagnosis setting at an affordable cost. The aim of this study was to measure the total cost of performing NGS in clinical practice in France, in both germline and somatic cancer genetics.The study was performed on 15 French representative cancer molecular genetics laboratories performing NGS panels' tests. The production cost was estimated using a micro-costing method with resources consumed collected in situ in each laboratory from a healthcare provider perspective. In addition, we used a top-down methodology for specific post-sequencing steps including bioinformatics, technical validation, and biological validation. Additional non-specific costs were also included. Costs were detailed per step of the process (from the pre-analytical phase to delivery of results), and per cost driver (consumables, staff, equipment, maintenance, overheads). Sensitivity analyses were performed.The mean total cost of NGS for targeted gene panels was estimated to 607€ (±207) in somatic genetics and 550€ (±140) in germline oncogenetic analysis. Consumables were the highest cost driver of the sequencing process. The sensitivity analysis showed that a 25% reduction of consumables resulted in a 15% decrease in total NGS cost in somatic genetics, and 13% in germline analysis. Additional costs accounted for 30-32% of the total NGS costs.Beyond cost assessment considerations, the diffusion of NGS technologies will raise questions about their efficiency when compared to more targeted approaches, and their added value in a context of routine diagnosis.

Lenvatinib for the Treatment of Radioiodine-Refractory Thyroid Cancer in Real-Life Practice

Background: In the Study of (E7080) Lenvatinib in Differentiated Cancer of the Thyroid (SELECT) phase 3 trial on advanced radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (rDTC), lenvatinib improved median progression-free survival over placebo by almost 15 months and induces an objective response rate of 64.8%, but adverse events occurred in almost all patients. The present study evaluates the efficacy and toxicity of lenvatinib treatment in real-life practice. Methods: Clinical charts of 88 consecutive patients treated with lenvatinib from July 2015 to June 2016 in 27 French centers were retrospectively reviewed. Patients treated for other thyroid cancer types (n = 11) or previously treated with lenvatinib within a trial (n = 2) were excluded and the remaining 75 rDTC patients formed the basis of this report. Results: 75 rDTC patients were analyzed (33 females, median age 65 years [range, 35-88 years]), 12 had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥2; 24 cases received lenvatinib as first line systemic treatment; 47 (63%) patients had documented progressive disease prior to treatment initiation. Distant metastases were located in lungs, bones, and lymph nodes (89%, 60%, and 69%, respectively). The initial treatment dose was 24 mg in 54 patients and was lower in the other 21 patients. The median follow-up was 7 months, with a median duration of treatment of 6 months [0.3-15]. Median progression-free survival was 10 months. Among the 65 patients with evaluation of tumor response during treatment, best tumor response was a partial response in 23 patients (31%) and stable disease in 38 (51%). Eleven patients (14.7%) discontinued lenvatinib because of disease progression. Forty-four (59%) and 23 (31%) patients had dose reductions or an interruption of lenvatinib for adverse events (AEs). The most frequent AEs related to treatment were fatigue, hypertension, weight loss, diarrhea, and anorexia. Eleven deaths occurred during the study (one considered to be drug related). Pneumothorax occurred in 2 patients with lung metastases. Conclusions: Real-life patients with rDTC can benefit from lenvatinib treatment. AEs are frequent and should be closely monitored.

French Health Technology Assessment of Antineoplastic Drugs Indicated in the Treatment of Solid Tumours: Perspective for Future Trends

BACKGROUND

France is one of the European countries that spend the most on oncology drugs. To keep pharmaceutical expenditure under control, Health Authorities highly scrutinize market access of costly medicines.

OBJECTIVE

To assess current and future trends in French health technology assessment (HTA) of antineoplastic drugs indicated in the treatment of solid tumours.

METHODS

A review of the SMR and ASMR drivers of the Transparency Committee (CT) opinions issued for antineoplastic drugs indicated in the treatment of solid tumours and approved between 2009 and 2014 was performed to assess current trends in French health technology assessment (HTA), complemented by an expert board consultation to capture the critical issues on the future of antineoplastic drugs HTA.

RESULTS

Thirty-one drugs indicated for the treatment of solid tumours were identified (77 % targeted therapies). Initial CT assessments were available for 26 drugs. Four key items in the CT assessment were identified: 1) Clinical trial methodology; 2) Acceptance of progression-free survival (PFS) as a valuable endpoint; 3) Transferability of clinical trials in clinical practice; 4) Unpredictability of CT decisions. Experts raised the important development of personalised medicines in oncology and key challenges for oncology products to generate information expected from HTA perspective.

CONCLUSION

The French system remains committed to its values and philosophy (access of all innovations for everybody) which are threatened by the increasing launch of innovative therapies and budget constraint. Both HTA decision framework evolution and revision of the current pricing process should be considered in France to cope with these new challenges.

Prognostic role of a comprehensive geriatric assessment on the management of elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a pooled analysis of two prospective phase II trials by the GFPC Group

Background

The prognostic role of a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) on the management of elderly patients with advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains to be established. The objective of this analysis was to determine the prognostic role of each CGA domain on overall survival (OS) among elderly patients with advanced-stage NSCLC.

Methods

We pooled individual data from two prospective, randomized phases II trials in patients over 65 years old with advanced-stage NSCLC, who were considered fit (0405 trial) or no-fit (0505 trial) based on a CGA. Both trials compared first-line chemotherapy followed by second-line erlotinib with the reverse strategy in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) and OS. Factors prognostic of OS were sought by using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log rank test for univariate analysis, and a Cox model for multivariate analysis.

Results

Analysis performed on 194 patients (mean age: 77 years, male gender: 70%, never- or ex-smokers: 56%) showed, in univariate analysis that performance status (PS), smoking status, Charlson, simplified Charlson, nutritional scores, and a mobility score were prognostics of OS. In multivariate analysis, PS [HR: 1.4 (1.02-1.9), P=0.04] and the Charlson score [HR: 1.46 (1.07-1.99), P=0.02] were independently prognostic of OS, while the nutritional score [HR: 0.69 (0.46-1.04), P=0.07] and the mobility score [HR: 0.25 (0.06-1.01), P=0.06] were close to significance.

Conclusions

PS and comorbidities appear to be the main predictors of OS in elderly advanced NSCLC patients selected on the basis of CGA.

Existing reporting guidelines for clinical trials are not completely relevant for implantable medical devices: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine relevant items for reporting clinical trials on implantable medical devices (IMDs) and to identify reporting guidelines which include these items.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

A panel of experts identified the most relevant items for evaluating IMDs from an initial list based on reference papers. We then conducted a systematic review of articles indexed in MEDLINE. We retrieved reporting guidelines from the EQUATOR network's library for health research reporting. Finally, we screened these reporting guidelines to find those using our set of reporting items.

RESULTS

Seven relevant reporting items were selected that related to four topics: randomization, learning curve, surgical setting, and device information. A total of 348 reporting guidelines were identified, among which 26 met our inclusion criteria. However, none of the 26 reporting guidelines presented all seven items together. The most frequently reported item was timing of randomization (65%). On the contrary, device information and learning curve effects were poorly specified.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this study is the first to identify specific items related to IMDs in reporting guidelines for clinical trials. We have shown that no existing reporting guideline is totally suitable for these devices.

Assessment of the novel online delineation workshop dummy run approach using FALCON within a European multicentre trial in cervical cancer (RAIDs)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Online delineation workshops (ODW) permit training of geographically dispersed participants. The purpose is to evaluate the methodology of an ODW using FALCON to harmonize delineation within a European multicentre trial on locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two ODW included 46 clinicians (14 centres). Clinicians completed baseline (C1), guideline (C2) and final contours (C3) for external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy (BT) for LACC. Interobserver and intraobserver variability was evaluated quantitatively (using the DICE index) and qualitatively compared to expert contours.

RESULTS

Nine clinicians submitted for EBRT and BT for C1-C3. Thirty-two sent any contour. Interobserver quantitative comparisons for EBRT showed significant improvement for C2 vs. C1 for bowel, CTV node, CTV-p and GTV node with significant detriment for GTV node (C3 vs. C1; C2), CTV-p (C3 vs. C2) and bowel (C3 vs. C2), showing in general an improvement in C2 vs. C1, with a detriment in C3 vs. C2 for two target volumes and an organ at risk. For BT there was significant improvement for C2 vs. C1 for bladder, GTV, HR-CTV and IR-CTV, with significant detriment for bladder (C3 vs. C2), thus overall improvement in C2 vs. C1, with only a detriment in C3 vs. C2 for bladder. Centres using MRI imaging for BT contouring did significantly better in the BT case for HR-CTV than those which used other techniques (C2 vs. C1: p<0.005; C3 vs. C1: p=0.02). Intraobserver quantitative comparisons showed significant improvement contouring a region of interest between C2 vs. C1, C3 vs. C1 and C3 vs. C2 for EBRT and between C2 and C1 for BT.

CONCLUSIONS

ODW offer training, initial contouring harmonization and allow assessment of centres.

Circulating Tumor Cells with Aberrant ALK Copy Number Predict Progression-Free Survival during Crizotinib Treatment in ALK-Rearranged Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

The duration and magnitude of clinical response are unpredictable in ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with crizotinib, although all patients invariably develop resistance. Here, we evaluated whether circulating tumor cells (CTC) with aberrant ALK-FISH patterns [ALK-rearrangement, ALK-copy number gain (ALK-CNG)] monitored on crizotinib could predict progression-free survival (PFS) in a cohort of ALK-rearranged patients. Thirty-nine ALK-rearranged NSCLC patients treated with crizotinib as first ALK inhibitor were recruited prospectively. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at an early time-point (2 months) on crizotinib. Aberrant ALK-FISH patterns were examined in CTCs using immunofluorescence staining combined with filter-adapted FISH after filtration enrichment. CTCs were classified into distinct subsets according to the presence of ALK-rearrangement and/or ALK-CNG signals. No significant association between baseline numbers of ALK-rearranged or ALK-CNG CTCs and PFS was observed. However, we observed a significant association between the decrease in CTC number with ALK-CNG on crizotinib and a longer PFS (likelihood ratio test, P = 0.025). In multivariate analysis, the dynamic change of CTC with ALK-CNG was the strongest factor associated with PFS (HR, 4.485; 95% confidence interval, 1.543-13.030, P = 0.006). Although not dominant, ALK-CNG has been reported to be one of the mechanisms of acquired resistance to crizotinib in tumor biopsies. Our results suggest that the dynamic change in the numbers of CTCs with ALK-CNG may be a predictive biomarker for crizotinib efficacy in ALK-rearranged NSCLC patients. Serial molecular analysis of CTC shows promise for real-time patient monitoring and clinical outcome prediction in this population. Cancer Res; 77(9); 2222-30. ©2017 AACR.

Innovative medical devices and hospital decision making: a study comparing the views of hospital pharmacists and physicians

Objectives Many university hospitals have developed local health technology assessment processes to guide informed decisions about new medical devices. However, little is known about stakeholders' perceptions and assessment of innovative devices. Herein, we investigated the perceptions regarding innovative medical devices of their chief users (physicians and surgeons), as well as those of hospital pharmacists, because they are responsible for the purchase and management of sterile medical devices. We noted the evaluation criteria used to assess and select new medical devices and suggestions for improving local health technology assessment processes indicated by the interviewees. Methods We randomly selected 18 physicians and surgeons (nine each) and 18 hospital pharmacists from 18 French university hospitals. Semistructured interviews were conducted between October 2012 and August 2013. Responses were coded separately by two researchers. Results Physicians and surgeons frequently described innovative medical devices as 'new', 'safe' and 'effective', whereas hospital pharmacists focused more on economic considerations and considered real innovative devices to be those for which no equivalent could be found on the market. No significant difference in evaluation criteria was found between these groups of professionals. Finally, hospital pharmacists considered the management of conflicts of interests in local health technology assessment processes to be an issue, whereas physicians and surgeons did not. Conclusions The present study highlights differences in perceptions related to professional affiliation. The findings suggest several ways in which current practices for local health technology assessment in French university hospitals could be improved and studied. What is known about the topic? Hospitals are faced with ever-growing demands for innovative and costly medical devices. To help hospital management deal with technology acquisition issues, hospital-based health technology assessment has been developed to support decisions. However, little is known about the different perceptions of innovative medical devices among practitioners and how different perceptions may affect decision making. What does this paper add? This paper compares and understands the perceptions of two groups of health professionals concerning innovative devices in the university hospital environment. What are the implications for practitioners? Such a comparison of viewpoints could facilitate improvements in current practices and decision-making processes in local health technology assessment for these medical products.

Surgery for Neck Recurrence of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Outcomes and Risk Factors

BACKGROUND

Persistent/recurrent disease in the neck is frequent in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).

OBJECTIVE

Assess efficacy, safety, and prognostic factors of first neck reoperation in DTC.

METHODS

Retrospective study of consecutive patients undergoing neck reoperation for recurrent/persistent DTC in a referral cancer center. Response after reoperation was defined according to the 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines.

FINDINGS

One hundred sixty-one DTC patients were enrolled (64% females, median age 35 years, 96% papillary DTC). Initial stage was pT3 in 43% and pT4 in 10%, pN1 in 74%. Aggressive histology was present in 25% of the patients, in both primary and persistent/recurrent tumor. Four patients had no malignancy in the reoperative specimen, and 1 patient died due to postoperative hematoma and was excluded from further analysis. Following reoperation, 15 patients (10%) had persistent structural disease, 16 (10%) had biochemical incomplete response, 26 (17%) had indeterminate response, and 99 (63%) had complete response (CR), among whom 24 relapsed later. After a median follow-up of 5 years, only 83 patients (53%) had CR without the need for further treatments. The rate of permanent complications was: hypoparathyroidism 2%, laryngeal nerve palsy 0.6%, other 6%. Age ≥45 years, aggressive histology, and lymph node ratio ≥0.6 at initial surgery were independent risk factors for incomplete response after reoperation. Male sex, aggressive histology, and ≥10 metastases at reoperation were independent risk factors of secondary relapse following CR achieved with reoperation.

CONCLUSION

A careful risk-benefit analysis should guide surgical decision, particularly in patients with risk factors for incomplete response.