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Bekelman JE, Gupta A, Fishman E, Debono D, Fisch MJ, Liu Y, Sylwestrzak G, Barron J, Navathe AS. Association Between a National Insurer's Pay-for-Performance Program for Oncology and Changes in Prescribing of Evidence-Based Cancer Drugs and Spending. J Clin Oncol 2020; 38:4055-4063. [PMID: 33021865 DOI: 10.1200/jco.20.00890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Cancer drug prescribing by medical oncologists accounts for the greatest variation in practice and the largest portion of spending on cancer care. We evaluated the association between a national commercial insurer's ongoing pay-for-performance (P4P) program for oncology and changes in the prescribing of evidence-based cancer drugs and spending. METHODS We conducted an observational difference-in-differences study using administrative claims data covering 6.7% of US adults. We leveraged the geographically staggered, time-varying rollout of the P4P program to simulate a stepped-wedge study design. We included patients age 18 years or older with breast, colon, or lung cancer who were prescribed cancer drug regimens by 1,867 participating oncologists between 2013 and 2017. The exposure was a time-varying dichotomous variable equal to 1 for patients who were prescribed a cancer drug regimen after the P4P program was offered. The primary outcome was whether a patient's drug regimen was a program-endorsed, evidence-based regimen. We also evaluated spending over a 6-month episode period. RESULTS The P4P program was associated with an increase in evidence-based regimen prescribing from 57.1% of patients in the preintervention period to 62.2% in the intervention period, for a difference of +5.1 percentage point (95% CI, 3.0 percentage points to 7.2 percentage points; P < .001). The P4P program was also associated with a differential $3,339 (95% CI, $1,121 to $5,557; P = .003) increase in cancer drug spending and a differential $253 (95% CI, $100 to $406; P = .001) increase in patient out-of-pocket spending, but no significant changes in total health care spending ($2,772; 95% CI, -$181 to $5,725; P = .07) over the 6-month episode period. CONCLUSION P4P programs may be effective in increasing evidence-based cancer drug prescribing, but may not yield cost savings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin E Bekelman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation at the Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Leonard Davis Institute for Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Healthcare Transformation Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Atul Gupta
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation at the Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Leonard Davis Institute for Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Department of Health Care Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Ezra Fishman
- National Committee for Quality Assurance, Washington, DC
| | | | - Michael J Fisch
- AIM Specialty Health, Chicago, IL.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | | | | | - Amol S Navathe
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation at the Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Leonard Davis Institute for Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Healthcare Transformation Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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Wilson LE, Greiner MA, Altomare I, Rotter J, Dinan MA. Rapid rise in the cost of targeted cancer therapies for Medicare patients with solid tumors from 2006 to 2015. J Geriatr Oncol 2020; 12:375-380. [PMID: 33250425 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2020.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflation-adjusted cancer costs in the United States have increased 40% in the last decade, leading to increasing financial burden on both payers and patients. Patients under 65 show substantial increases in utilization of expensive targeted therapy anticancer agents; however, patients aged 65+ account for the majority of new malignancies. Utilization and cost trends for these emerging agents have not been examined in detail in the Medicare population. PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective prevalent cohort analysis of patients 65+ with any stage of invasive lung, breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer, receiving systemic therapy drawn from the United States Medicare 5% fee-for-service sample claims (2005-2015). Yearly trends in utilization and associated costs were modeled with adjustment for inflation, demographics, and comorbidities. RESULTS Among Medicare beneficiaries with fee-for-service and Part D enrollment who were receiving some type of systemic anticancer therapy, there were 9230 patients with colorectal, 32,738 patients with breast, and 16,278 patients with lung cancers identified from 2006 to 2015, and 19,295 patients with prostate cancer from 2009 to 2015. The share of cancer costs to Medicare attributable to targeted therapies, increased dramatically for prostate cancer (1.7% to 19.4%), lung cancer (6.7% to 19.4%), colorectal cancer (11.7% to 22.2%), and breast cancer (15.8% to 25.5%). Although the proportion of patients receiving targeted therapies remained stable, mean per-patient cancer costs increased dramatically from 2006 to 2015 for patients with lung or prostate cancer receiving targeted therapy and for patients with breast cancer receiving non-hormonal targeted therapies. Targeted agents for these cancers showed substantial inflation-adjusted price growth over this time period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Wilson
- Department of Population Health Science, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA.
| | - Melissa A Greiner
- Department of Population Health Science, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - Ivy Altomare
- Division of Medical Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - Jason Rotter
- Department of Population Health Science, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - Michaela A Dinan
- Department of Population Health Science, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA; Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
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Wadhwa D, Hausner D, Popovic G, Pope A, Swami N, Maganti M, Zimmermann C. Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Use in Palliative Care Outpatients With Advanced Cancer. J Palliat Care 2020; 36:78-86. [PMID: 33241732 DOI: 10.1177/0825859720975949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate factors associated with continuation of systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) after palliative care consultation, and SACT administration in the last 30 days of life, in outpatients with cancer referred to palliative care. Timing of referral was of particular interest. METHODS Patient, disease, and treatment-related factors associated with SACT before and after palliative care, and in the last 30 days of life, were identified using 3-level multinomial logistic regression. Referral to palliative care was categorized by time from death as early (>12 months), intermediate (6-12 months), and late (≤6 months). RESULTS Of the 337 patients, 240 (71.2%) received SACT for advanced cancer; of these, 126 (52.5%) received SACT only prior to palliative care while 114 (47.5%) also received SACT afterward. Only 35/337 (10.4%) received SACT in the last 30 days of life. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with continuing SACT after palliative care consultation were a cancer diagnosis for <1 year (OR 3.09, p = 0.01), breast primary (OR 11.88, p = 0.0008), and early (OR 28.8, p < 0.001) or intermediate (OR 6.67, p < 0.001) referral timing. No factors were significantly associated with receiving SACT in the last 30 days versus earlier, but the median time from palliative care referral to death in those receiving SACT in the last 30 days versus stopping SACT earlier was 1.78 versus 4.27 months. CONCLUSION Patients who received SACT following palliative care consultation were more likely to be referred early; however, patients receiving SACT in their last 30 days tended to be referred late.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepa Wadhwa
- 25441BC Cancer-Kelowna, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Supportive Care, 10051Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Hausner
- Department of Supportive Care, 10051Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Palliative Care Service, Chaim 26744Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Gordana Popovic
- Department of Supportive Care, 10051Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ashley Pope
- Department of Supportive Care, 10051Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nadia Swami
- Department of Supportive Care, 10051Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Manjula Maganti
- Department of Biostatistics, 10051Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Camilla Zimmermann
- Department of Supportive Care, 10051Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Roberts N, James SL, Delaney M, Fitzmaurice C. Blood transfusion trends by disease category in the United States, 2000 to 2014. Transfus Apher Sci 2020; 60:103012. [PMID: 33309539 DOI: 10.1016/j.transci.2020.103012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Better understanding of blood usage rates could identify trends in transfusion practices over time and inform more efficient management. METHODS Inpatient admissions from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample and State Inpatient Databases were analyzed for packed red blood cell (PRBC), plasma, platelet, and whole blood (WB) transfusions. The transfusion rates per admission and per prevalent case were calculated. Prevalence estimates were from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 study (GBD). RESULTS From 2000 to 2014, blood usage rates for most causes peaked around 2010. Across all causes, PRBC were the most commonly transfused component, followed by plasma, platelets, and WB. However, the relative use of each type varied by cause. Nutritional deficiencies (1.75 blood product units across all components per admission; 95 % uncertainty interval (UI) 1.62-1.87), neoplasms (0.95; 0.87-1.04), and injuries (0.92; 0.86 - 0.98) had the greatest blood use per admission. Cardiovascular diseases (96.9 units per 1000 prevalent cases; 89.3-105.0) and neoplasms (92.7 units per 1000 prevalent cases; 84.3-101.5) had the greatest blood use per prevalent case. Across all admissions, over three million blood units were saved in 2014 compared to 2011 due to transfusing at a reduced rate. CONCLUSIONS Blood transfusion rates decreased from 2011 to 2014 in the United States. This decline occurred in most disease categories, which points towards broad strategies like patient blood management systems and disease specific improvements like changes in surgical techniques being effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Roberts
- Department of Health Metric Sciences, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.
| | - Spencer L James
- Department of Health Metric Sciences, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Meghan Delaney
- Division of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States; Departments of Pathology & Pediatrics, George Washington University Medical School, Washington DC, United States
| | - Christina Fitzmaurice
- Department of Health Metric Sciences, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Chandana SR, Babiker HM, Mahadevan D. Clinical complexity of utilizing FGFR inhibitors in cancer therapeutics. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:1413-1429. [PMID: 33074030 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1838484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR 1-4) are a highly conserved family of receptor tyrosine kinases, involved in several physiological processes. Genetic aberrations of FGFRs and their ligands, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are involved in several pathological processes including cancer. The FGF-FGFR axis has emerged as a treatment target in oncology. Because these aberrations drive cancer progression, the development of FGFR targeted therapies have been accelerated. AREAS COVERED In this comprehensive review, we evaluate molecular pathology and targeted therapies to FGFRs. We reviewed the evidence for safety and efficacy from preclinical and clinical studies (phase I-III) of FGFR targeted therapies. We also discuss potential challenges in bringing these targeted therapies from bench to bedside and the potential opportunities. EXPERT OPINION Despite the challenges of the clinical development of FGFR targeted therapies, two FGFR small-molecule inhibitors, namely Erdafitinib and Pemigatinib, are FDA approved for urothelial cancer and cholangiocarcinoma, respectively. Understanding and detection of FGFR genomic aberrations, protein overexpression and the development of isoform-specific inhibitors are factors in the clinical success of these therapies. An enhanced understanding of patient selection based on a gene signatures or biomarkers is key to success of FGFR targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreenivasa R Chandana
- Phase I Program, START Midwest , Grand Rapids, MI, USA.,Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer and Hematology Centers of Western Michigan , Grand Rapids, MI, USA.,Department of Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University , East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Hani M Babiker
- Early Phase Clinical Trials Program, University of Arizona Cancer Center , Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Daruka Mahadevan
- Early Phase Clinical Trials Program, University of Arizona Cancer Center , Tucson, AZ, USA.,Division of Hematology-Oncology, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio , San Antonio, TX, USA
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Seymour EK, Ruterbusch JJ, Winn AN, George JA, Beebe-Dimmer JL, Schiffer CA. The costs of treating and not treating patients with chronic myeloid leukemia with tyrosine kinase inhibitors among Medicare patients in the United States. Cancer 2020; 127:93-102. [PMID: 33119175 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with high cost-sharing of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) experience delays in treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). To the authors' knowledge, the clinical outcomes among and costs for patients not receiving TKIs are not well defined. METHODS Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database, the authors evaluated differences in TKI initiation, health care use, cost, and survival among patients with CML with continuous Medicare Parts A and B and Part D coverage who were diagnosed between 2007 and 2015. RESULTS A total of 941 patients were included. Approximately 29% of all patients did not initiate treatment with TKIs within 6 months (non-TKI users), and had lower rates of BCR-ABL testing and more hospitalizations compared with TKI users. Approximately 21% were not found to have any TKI claims at any time. TKI initiation rates within 6 months of diagnosis increased for all patients over time (61% to 85%), with greater improvements observed in patients receiving subsidies (55% to 90%). Total Medicare costs were greater in patients treated with TKIs, with approximately 50% because of TKI costs. Non-TKI users had more inpatient costs compared with TKI users. Trends in cost remained significant when adjusting for age and comorbidities. The median overall survival was 40 months (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 34-48 months) compared with 86 months (95% CI, 73 months to not reached), respectively, for non-TKI users versus TKI users, a finding that remained consistent when adjusting for age, comorbidities, and subsidy status (hazard ratio, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.77-2.81). CONCLUSIONS Approximately 21% of all patients with CML did not receive TKIs at any time. Cost-sharing subsidies consistently are found to be associated with higher initiation rates. Non-TKI users had higher inpatient costs and poorer survival outcomes. Interventions to lower TKI costs for all patients are desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erlene K Seymour
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Julie J Ruterbusch
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Aaron N Winn
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Julie A George
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Jennifer L Beebe-Dimmer
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Charles A Schiffer
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cancers result in significant economic burdens on patients, health sectors and society. Reliable burden estimates will help guide resource allocation. This study aimed to perform a nationwide cost analysis of the direct and indirect costs of the top ten most costly cancers, and acute coronary syndrome (ACS), as a comparison, in Taiwan. SETTING A population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS In total, 545 221 patients with newly diagnosed cancer (lung cancer, female breast cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, oral cancer, leukaemia, prostate cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, gastric cancer and oesophageal cancer) and 170 879 patients with ACS between 2007 and 2014 were identified. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Direct medical costs were calculated from claims recorded in the National Health Insurance Research Database . Indirect costs, comprising morbidity-associated and mortality-associated productivity losses, were estimated from public life expectancy, average wage and employment data. The costs incurred in the 3 years after diagnosis were assessed. As a comparison, the cost of ACS was also estimated using the same study frame. A cost driver analysis was conducted to identify factors impacting cancer costs. RESULTS The cancers with the highest mean direct medical costs and total costs were leukaemia (US$28 464) and oesophageal cancer (US$81 775), respectively. Indirect costs accounted for over 50% of the total economic burden of most cancers, except for prostate cancer and female breast cancer. The costs of ACS were lower than those of most cancers. From the cost driver analysis, older age at diagnosis significantly (p<0.05) decreased the total cost of cancer; in contrast, male, tumour metastasis, comorbidities and treatment in medical centres increased the costs. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the comprehensive economic burden of the top 10 most costly cancers in Taiwan. These results are valuable for optimising healthcare resource allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Yi Huang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ho-Min Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Hsin Liao
- Department of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bor-Sheng Ko
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Hematological Oncology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fei-Yuan Hsiao
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Wang HC, Liu PL, Lo PC, Chang YT, Chan LP, Yeh TJ, Hsiao HH, Cho SF. Consistent administration of cetuximab is associated with favorable outcomes in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in an endemic carcinogen exposure area: a retrospective observational study. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9862. [PMID: 32974098 PMCID: PMC7487150 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes associated with patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RM HNSCC) who received cetuximab-based chemotherapy in a real-world clinical setting. METHODS Clinical data were extracted from RM HNSCC patients diagnosed between 2016 and 2019. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and Cox proportional hazards model were used for survival analyses. RESULTS Of 106 RM HNSCC patients (mean age = 55.1 years), 38.7% exhibited recurrent disease and 61.3% had metastatic disease. The majority of patients showed a habit of addictive substance use, including alcohol (67.0%), betel nuts (71.7%), or tobacco (74.5%). The primary tumor sites included the oral cavity (64.1%), hypopharynx (19.8%), and oropharynx (16.0%). The median number of cetuximab cycles for the 106 patients was 11 (2-24). The disease control rate (DCR) was 48.1%, and the overall response rate (ORR) was 28.3%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 5.0 and 9.23 months, respectively. Patients treated with more than 11 cycles of cetuximab exhibited a longer median PFS and median OS than did patients treated with less than 11 cycles (median PFS: 7.0 vs. 3.0 months, p < 0.001; OS: 12.43 vs. 4.46 months, p = 0.001). Patients without previous concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) had a better median PFS than did those with previous CRT (6.0 vs. 4.0 months, p = 0.046). Multivariable analysis revealed that perineural invasion and fewer cycles of cetuximab (<11 cycles) were independent risk factors associated with disease progression. In addition, the reduction in treatment cycles of cetuximab and advanced lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors predicting poorer overall survival. CONCLUSION Our study provides important real-world data regarding cetuximab-containing treatment in RM HNSCC. Consistent administration of cetuximab could be associated with more favorable outcomes in RM HNSCC in endemic carcinogen exposure areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ching Wang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Lin Liu
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, Specialist Nursing office, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chuan Lo
- Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Tzu Chang
- Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Leong-Perng Chan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Jang Yeh
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Hua Hsiao
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Feng Cho
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Yasaitis L, Gupta A, Newcomb C, Kim E, Newcomer L, Bekelman J. An Insurer's Program To Incentivize Generic Oncology Drugs Did Not Alter Treatment Patterns Or Spending On Care. Health Aff (Millwood) 2020; 38:812-819. [PMID: 31059365 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The high and rising costs of anticancer drugs have received national attention. The prices of brand-name anticancer drugs often dwarf those of established generic drugs with similar efficacy. In 2007-16 UnitedHealthcare sought to encourage the use of several common low-cost generic anticancer drugs by offering providers a voluntary incentivized fee schedule with substantially higher generic drug payments (and profit margins), thereby increasing financial equivalence for providers in the choice between generic and brand-name drugs and regimens. We evaluated how this voluntary payment intervention affected treatment patterns and health care spending among enrollees with breast, lung, or colorectal cancer. We found that the incentivized fee schedule had neither significant nor meaningful effects on the use of incentivized generic drugs or on spending. Practices that adopted the incentivized fee schedule already had higher rates of generic anticancer drug use before switching, which demonstrates selection bias in take-up. Our study provides cautionary evidence of the limitations of voluntary payment reform initiatives in meaningfully affecting health care practice and spending.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Yasaitis
- Laura Yasaitis is a fellow of the Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation at the Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, in Philadelphia
| | - Atul Gupta
- Atul Gupta is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Care Management at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Craig Newcomb
- Craig Newcomb is a biostatistician in the Center for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Era Kim
- Era Kim is an analyst at UnitedHealthcare and the Institute for Health Informatics, University of Minnesota, in Rochester
| | - Lee Newcomer
- Lee Newcomer is a consultant at Lee N. Newcomer Consulting, in Wayzata, Minnesota
| | - Justin Bekelman
- Justin Bekelman ( ) is an associate professor and director of the Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation at the Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
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Assessing the Financial Toxicity of Radiation Oncology Patients Using the Validated Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity as a Patient-Reported Outcome. Pract Radiat Oncol 2020; 10:e322-e329. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prro.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Fishman E, Fisch MJ, Liu Y, Barron JJ, Nguyen A, Sylwestrzak G. Use of Optimal Evidence-Based Anticancer Drug Regimens in Physician Offices Versus Hospital Outpatient Facilities. JCO Oncol Pract 2020; 16:e797-e806. [DOI: 10.1200/jop.19.00525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE: Cancer care has increasingly shifted from physician offices (MDOs) to hospital-based outpatient departments (HOPDs). This study compared the proportion of patients receiving optimal, evidence-based anticancer drug regimens and the cost of care when administered in these sites. METHODS: Patients with breast, lung, or colorectal cancer were identified from a large health insurance database. Anticancer drug regimens were considered on pathway when they were on the payer’s program list of optimal regimens when administered. Anticancer drug–related costs included all patient- and plan-paid costs on claims for anticancer drugs over the 6-month postindex period; total per-patient costs were summed over all claims in that period. RESULTS: A total of 38,140 patients (MDO, n = 18,998; HOPD, n = 19,142) were included. On-pathway status was similar in HOPDs (59.5%; 95% CI, 58.6% to 60.4%) versus MDOs (60.8%; 95% CI, 59.8% to 61.8%; P = .069). HOPDs had substantially higher costs. Adjusted cancer drug–related costs were $63,763 (95% CI, $62,301 to $65,224) for HOPDs versus $36,500 (95% CI, $35,729 to $37,271) for MDOs ( P < .001); adjusted total costs were $115,843 (95% CI, $113,642 to $118,044) for HOPDs versus $77,346 (95% CI, $76,072 to $78,620) for MDOs ( P < .001). For Medicare Advantage, adjusted total costs were $61,812 for HOPDs compared with $62,769 for MDOs; adjusted drug-related costs were $31,610 for HOPDs compared with $33,168 for MDOs. For commercial insurance, total costs were $119,288 for HOPDs compared with $77,613 for MDOs; drug-related costs were $65,930 for HOPDs compared with $36,366 for MDOs. CONCLUSION: Total and cancer drug–related per-patient costs were higher in HOPDs versus MDOs, but on-pathway status was similar. The cost differential between HOPDs and MDOs was driven by commercially insured members rather than Medicare Advantage members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezra Fishman
- National Committee for Quality Assurance, Washington, DC
| | - Michael J. Fisch
- AIM Specialty Health, Chicago, IL
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Ying Liu
- National Committee for Quality Assurance, Washington, DC
| | - John J. Barron
- National Committee for Quality Assurance, Washington, DC
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Dean LT, George M, Lee KT, Ashing K. Why individual-level interventions are not enough: Systems-level determinants of oral anticancer medication adherence. Cancer 2020; 126:3606-3612. [PMID: 32438466 PMCID: PMC7467097 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nonadherence to oral anticancer medications (OAMs) in the United States is as low as 33% for some cancers. The reasons for nonadherence to these lifesaving medications are multifactorial, yet the majority of studies focus on patient-level factors influencing uptake and adherence. Individually based interventions to increase patient adherence have not been effective, and this warrants attention to factors at the payor, pharmaceutical, and clinical systems levels. Based on the authors' research and clinical experiences, this commentary brings fresh attention to the long-standing issue of OAM nonadherence, a growing quality-of-care issue, from a systems perspective. In this commentary, the key driving factors in pharmaceutical and payor systems (state and federal laws, payor/insurance companies, and pharmaceutical companies), clinical systems (hospitals and providers), and patient contexts that have trickle-down effects on patient adherence to OAMs are outlined. In the end, the authors' recommendations include examining the influence of laws governing OAM drug pricing, OAM supply, and provider reimbursement; reducing the need for prior authorization of long-approved OAMs; identifying cost-effective ways for providers to monitor nonadherence; examining issues of provider bias in OAM prescriptions; and further elucidating in which contexts patients are likely to be able to adhere. These recommendations offer a starting point for an examination of the chain of systems influencing patient adherence and may help to finally resolve persistently high levels of OAM nonadherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine T Dean
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Marshalee George
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kimberley T Lee
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kimlin Ashing
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Health Equities, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
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Serritella AV, Strohbehn GW, Goldstein DA, Lichter AS, Ratain MJ. Interventional Pharmacoeconomics: A Novel Mechanism for Unlocking Value. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2020; 108:487-493. [DOI: 10.1002/cpt.1853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Garth W. Strohbehn
- Department of Medicine The University of Chicago Chicago Illinois USA
- Value in Cancer Care Consortium Ann Arbor Michigan USA
| | - Daniel A. Goldstein
- Value in Cancer Care Consortium Ann Arbor Michigan USA
- Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
- Davidoff Cancer CenterRabin Medical Center Petah Tikva Israel
- Department of Health Policy and Management Gillings School of Public Health University of North Carolina Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | | | - Mark J. Ratain
- Department of Medicine The University of Chicago Chicago Illinois USA
- Value in Cancer Care Consortium Ann Arbor Michigan USA
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Su M, Lao J, Zhang N, Wang J, Anderson RT, Sun X, Yao N. Financial hardship in Chinese cancer survivors. Cancer 2020; 126:3312-3321. [PMID: 32396242 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to estimate the proportion of Chinese cancer survivors experiencing financial hardship and then examine the relationship between material and behavioral financial hardship. METHODS This study surveyed 964 cancer survivors who were 30 to 64 years old and 644 survivors who were 65 years old or older during 2015-2016 (1608 survivors in all). Material financial hardship was measured by whether they had borrowed money because of cancer, its treatment, or the lasting effects of treatment, and behavioral financial hardship was measured by whether they had forgone some cancer-related medical care because of cost. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine factors associated with material financial hardship by age group. RESULTS Approximately 44% of the cancer survivors who were 65 years old or older borrowed money or went into debt because of cancer, and 54% of younger patients (P < .01) reported cancer-related debts. Among these survivors with cancer care debt, survivors aged 65 years old or older had a lower proportion of borrowing more than 50,000 Chinese yuan (CNY; approximately US $7700) than survivors aged 30 to 64 years (14% vs 20%). In both age groups, approximately 10% of cancer survivors reported that they had experienced behavioral financial hardship. After adjustments for covariates, cancer survivors who reported material financial problems were more likely to report behavioral financial hardship (odds ratio [OR] for those aged 30-64 years, 3.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.13-6.50; OR for those aged 65 years or older, 5.48; 95% CI, 2.69-11.15). CONCLUSIONS Older cancer survivors in China experience significant material financial hardship, but it is not as noticeable as younger patients' hardship. The results highlight the importance of identifying cancer survivors who are more likely to experience financial hardship and improving the affordability of cancer care in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Su
- School of Health Care Management (Key Laboratory of Health Economics and Policy, National Health Commission), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Center for Cancer Control and Policy Research, School of Health Care Management, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiahui Lao
- First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Center for Cancer Control and Policy Research, School of Health Care Management, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Jialin Wang
- Center for Cancer Control and Policy Research, School of Health Care Management, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Roger T Anderson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Xiaojie Sun
- School of Health Care Management (Key Laboratory of Health Economics and Policy, National Health Commission), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Center for Cancer Control and Policy Research, School of Health Care Management, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Nengliang Yao
- School of Health Care Management (Key Laboratory of Health Economics and Policy, National Health Commission), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Center for Cancer Control and Policy Research, School of Health Care Management, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Olver I, Keefe D, Herrstedt J, Warr D, Roila F, Ripamonti CI. Supportive care in cancer—a MASCC perspective. Support Care Cancer 2020; 28:3467-3475. [DOI: 10.1007/s00520-020-05447-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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San-Juan-Rodriguez A, Parekh N, Newman TV, Hernandez I. Pricing of Monoclonal Antibodies in the United States. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.4103/jqsh.jqsh_1_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Natasha Parekh
- Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy,
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Terri V. Newman
- Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy,
| | - Inmaculada Hernandez
- Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy,
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LaRocca CJ, Li A, Lafaro K, Clark K, Loscalzo M, Melstrom LG, Warner SG. The impact of financial toxicity in gastrointestinal cancer patients. Surgery 2020; 168:167-172. [PMID: 32197785 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2020.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biopsychosocial distress screening is a critical component of comprehensive cancer care. Financial issues are a common source of distress in this patient population. This study uses a biopsychosocial distress screening tool to determine the factors associated with financial toxicity and the impact of these stressors on gastrointestinal cancer patients. METHODS A 48-question, proprietary distress screening tool was administered to patients with gastrointestinal malignancies from 2009 to 2015. This validated, electronically-administered tool is given to all new patients. Responses were recorded on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (not a problem) to 5 (very severe problem), with responses rated at ≥3 indicative of distress. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. RESULTS Most of the 1,027 patients had colorectal (50%) or hepatobiliary (31%) malignancies. Additionally, 34% of all patients expressed a high level of financial toxicity. Age greater than 65 (odds ratio: 0.63, 95% confidence interval: 0.47-0.86, P < .01), college education (odds ratio: 0.53, 95% confidence interval: 0.38-0.73, P < .0001), being partnered (odds ratio: 0.61, 95% confidence interval: 0.44-0.84, P < .01), and annual income greater than $40,000 (odds ratio: 0.27, 95% confidence interval: 0.19-0.38, P < .0001) were all protective against financial toxicity on univariate analysis. Also, heavy tobacco use was associated significantly with increased distress on univariate analysis (odds ratio: 2.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.38-5.78, P < .01). With the exception of partnered status (odds ratio: 1.18, 95% confidence interval: 0.76-1.85, P = .46), all these variables retained their significant association with financial toxicity in the multivariate model. CONCLUSION Financial toxicity impacts a large number of cancer patients. Further study of at-risk populations may identify patients who would benefit from pre-emptive education and counseling interventions as part of their routine cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J LaRocca
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Arthur Li
- Department of Information Sciences, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA
| | - Kelly Lafaro
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA
| | - Karen Clark
- Department of Supportive Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA
| | - Matthew Loscalzo
- Department of Supportive Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA
| | - Laleh G Melstrom
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA
| | - Susanne G Warner
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA.
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Dashputre AA, Gatwood KS, Gatwood J. Medication Adherence, Health Care Utilization, and Costs Among Patients Initiating Oral Oncolytics for Multiple Myeloma or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma. J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2020; 26:186-196. [PMID: 32011965 PMCID: PMC10391134 DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2020.26.2.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral oncolytic therapies have improved survival in hematologic cancers, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) and multiple myeloma (MM), which are now being managed like chronic conditions. However, compared with other cancers, there is a lack of studies assessing adherence, health care resource utilization, and costs in patients with these cancers. OBJECTIVE To assess factors associated with adherence to oral oncolytic therapies, health care utilization, and costs in patients with CLL/SLL or MM. METHODS A retrospective database study was conducted using the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims and Medicare Supplement databases. Adults (aged ≥ 18 years) diagnosed with and prescribed an oral oncolytic for CLL/SLL (ibrutinib or idelalisib) or MM (thalidomide, lenalidomide, or pomalidomide) between 2013 and 2016 and with continuous eligibility 6 months before and 12 months after oral oncolytic initiation were identified. Adherence to oral oncolytics was measured using the proportion of days covered (PDC) metric. Multiple linear regression and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify adherence predictors. Count models assessed the relationship between adherence and resource utilization, and generalized linear models assessed the relationship between adherence and health care costs. RESULTS A total of 701 and 2,385 patients were identified with CLL/SLL or MM, respectively. Mean PDC (SD) for CLL/SLL and MM patients was 75.3 (22.5) and 57.6 (26.5), respectively. For CLL/SLL patients, those aged ≥ 65 years (beta [B] = -4.00) had lower medication use. Among MM patients, multiple predictors of higher medication use emerged: aged ≥ 65 years (B = 3.44), higher than average outpatient resource utilization (B = 3.53), insurance plan other than preferred provider organization (PPO; B = -2.58), previous cancer therapy (B = -2.81), higher number of concurrent unique therapeutic classes (B = -0.35), and higher comorbidity burden (B = -2.55). Patients with CLL/SLL and enrolled in plans other than a PPO were more likely to be adherent (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.01-1.98), whereas patients who were aged ≥ 65 years, were residents of the southern United States, and had visited the emergency department in the baseline period were less likely to be adherent. For MM patients, those aged ≥ 65 years (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.38-2.04) and with higher than average outpatient services utilization (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.01-1.52) were more likely to be adherent, whereas those enrolled in plans other than a PPO, previously treated with cancer therapy, and with higher comorbidity burden were less likely to be adherent. In both cohorts, adherent patients had significantly lower odds of health care utilization and incurred lower medical costs, but higher prescription costs, following oncolytic initiation; however, total costs were not significantly lower in those adherent. CONCLUSIONS Factors were identified that influenced adherence at the patient, treatment, and health system levels. These factors can be used to identify patients requiring interventions for improving medication-taking behavior and associated health care burden. DISCLOSURES This study received no outside funding. Dashputre was recently employed by Novartis; K. Gatwood has received speaker fees from Jazz Pharmaceuticals; and J. Gatwood has received research funding from Merck & Co. and GlaxoSmithKline, unrelated to this study..
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankur A. Dashputre
- Institute for Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis
| | | | - Justin Gatwood
- College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Nashville
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Huntington SF, Davidoff AJ, Gross CP. Precision Medicine in Oncology II: Economics of Targeted Agents and Immuno-Oncology Drugs. J Clin Oncol 2019; 38:351-358. [PMID: 31804866 DOI: 10.1200/jco.19.01573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
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Shih YCT, Xu Y, Chien CR, Kim B, Shen Y, Li L, Geynisman DM. Rising Economic Burden of Renal Cell Carcinoma among Elderly Patients in the USA: Part II-An Updated Analysis of SEER-Medicare Data. PHARMACOECONOMICS 2019; 37:1495-1507. [PMID: 31286464 PMCID: PMC6885100 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-019-00824-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The influx of new oncologic technologies has changed the treatment landscape of renal cell carcincoma (RCC) in the last decade. This study updated a previously published paper on the economic burden of RCC in the USA by using more recent data to examine the impact of various forms of new oncologic technologies on the economic burden of RCC. METHODS Using the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database, we employed prevalence and incidence costing approaches to estimate RCC costs from the payer's perspective. We conducted a longitudinal analysis of cost data per patient per month for a prevalence cohort of patients with RCC to determine which category of new technology (surgery, radiation, or cancer drugs) was the major cost driver for RCC. We then applied the incidence costing approach to estimate costs related to RCC by care phase (initial, continuing, and terminal) and compared costs between two incidence cohorts to examine how new technology affected the economic burden of RCC over time. RESULTS After controlling for demographic factors, clinical characteristics, neighborhood socioeconomic status, and time trend, we found that rising per patient per month costs were driven by new technologies in cancer drugs. Incidence-based analysis showed the annual net cost (2018 US$) for patients with distant-stage RCC diagnosed between 2002 and 2006 was $51,639, $19,025, $76,603, and $29,045 for the initial, continuing (year 1), terminal (died from RCC), and terminal (died from other causes) care phases, respectively. Costs increased to $70,703, $34,716, $107,989, and $47,538, respectively, for the incidence cohort diagnosed between 2007 and 2011. CONCLUSION The rising economic burden of RCC was most pronounced among patients with distant-stage RCC, and driven primarily by new cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Chen Tina Shih
- Section of Cancer Economics and Policy, Department of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Univ 1444, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Ying Xu
- Section of Cancer Economics and Policy, Department of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Univ 1444, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Chun-Ru Chien
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hsinchu Hospital, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Bumyang Kim
- Section of Cancer Economics and Policy, Department of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Univ 1444, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yu Shen
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Liang Li
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Daniel M Geynisman
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Steuten L, Goulart B, Meropol NJ, Pritchard D, Ramsey SD. Cost Effectiveness of Multigene Panel Sequencing for Patients With Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer. JCO Clin Cancer Inform 2019; 3:1-10. [DOI: 10.1200/cci.19.00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Compared with single-marker genetic testing (SMGT), multigene panel sequencing (MGPS) has the potential to identify more patients with cancer who could benefit from targeted therapies, but the effects on outcome and total cost of care are uncertain. Our goal was to estimate the clinical and cost effectiveness of MGPS versus SMGT among patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (aNSCLC). METHODS Patients with aNSCLC—stage IIIB or metastatic—who were diagnosed between 2011 and 2016 were identified from the Flatiron Health database. After stratifying patients into MGPS or SMGT cohorts, we analyzed the percentage of patients who received targeted treatment, survival, and total costs of care. SMGT included epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase testing. MGPS also allowed for the detection of BRAF, RET, ROS1, HER2, and MET mutations. Cost data sources were the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Fee Schedule and 2017 average sales price drug cost. We estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio from a US payer perspective over a lifetime horizon using a decision model. RESULTS We identified 5,688 patients with aNSCLC who received MGPS (n = 875) or SMGT (n = 4,813), of which 22% tested positive for epidermal growth factor receptor (18.5% MGPS; 17.3% SMGT) or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (3.59% MGPS; 3.78% SMGT). Among MGPS-tested patients, an additional 8% were found to have BRAF, RET, ROS1, HER2, or MET mutations. Of MGPS-tested patients, 21% received treatments that were targeted to the specific mutations versus 19% with SMGT. Expected survival was 1.14 life years (LYs) in SMGT versus 1.20 LYs in MGPS. Lifetime total costs were $8,814 higher per patient for MGPS. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of MGPS versus SMGT was $148,478 per LY gained. CONCLUSION On the basis of data from a nationwide oncology patient database, MGPS is shown to have moderate cost effectiveness compared with SMGT in patients with aNSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bernardo Goulart
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
- Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA
| | - Neal J. Meropol
- Flatiron Health, New York, NY
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
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Wang S, Liu Y, Feng Y, Zhang J, Swinnen J, Li Y, Ni Y. A Review on Curability of Cancers: More Efforts for Novel Therapeutic Options Are Needed. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1782. [PMID: 31766180 PMCID: PMC6896199 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a major cause of death globally. Given its relapsing and fatal features, curing cancer seems to be something hardly possible for the majority of patients. In view of the development in cancer therapies, this article summarizes currently available cancer therapeutics and cure potential by cancer type and stage at diagnosis, based on literature and database reviews. Currently common cancer therapeutics include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. However, treatment with curative intent by these methods are mainly eligible for patients with localized disease or treatment-sensitive cancers and therefore their contributions to cancer curability are relatively limited. The prognosis for cancer patients varies among different cancer types with a five-year relative survival rate (RSR) of more than 80% in thyroid cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, and Hodgkin's lymphoma. The most dismal prognosis is observed in patients with small-cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, oesophagal cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, non-small cell lung cancer, and gastric cancer with a five-year RSR ranging between 7% and 28%. The current review is intended to provide a general view about how much we have achieved in curing cancer as regards to different therapies and cancer types. Finally, we propose a small molecule dual-targeting broad-spectrum anticancer strategy called OncoCiDia, in combination with emerging highly sensitive liquid biopsy, with theoretical curative potential for the management of solid malignancies, especially at the micro-cancer stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuncong Wang
- KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Faculty of Medicine, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.W.); (Y.L.); (Y.F.); (J.S.)
| | - Yewei Liu
- KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Faculty of Medicine, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.W.); (Y.L.); (Y.F.); (J.S.)
| | - Yuanbo Feng
- KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Faculty of Medicine, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.W.); (Y.L.); (Y.F.); (J.S.)
| | - Jian Zhang
- Laboratories of Translational Medicine, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China;
| | - Johan Swinnen
- KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Faculty of Medicine, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.W.); (Y.L.); (Y.F.); (J.S.)
| | - Yue Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China
| | - Yicheng Ni
- KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Faculty of Medicine, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.W.); (Y.L.); (Y.F.); (J.S.)
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Duma N, Idossa DW, Durani U, Frank RD, Paludo J, Westin G, Lou Y, Mansfield AS, Adjei AA, Go RS, Ailawadhi S. Influence of Sociodemographic Factors on Treatment Decisions in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Clin Lung Cancer 2019; 21:e115-e129. [PMID: 31570228 DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2019.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), survival has significantly improved. Despite such trends, it has been noted that patients frequently refuse treatment. Therefore, we explored the factors associated with treatment refusal in NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Utilizing the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), we identified all stage IV NSCLC cases from 2004 to 2014. Patients who received cancer treatment outside of the reporting facility were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine associations with treatment refusal. RESULTS A total of 341,993 patients were identified; 5.4% of patients refused radiotherapy and 10.3% refused chemotherapy despite provider recommendations. The proportion of patients refusing radiotherapy and chemotherapy increased over time from 4.2% to 7.3% and 7.9% to 15%, respectively (P < .001). In multivariable analysis, men were less likely to refuse treatment compared to women (respectively, odds ratio = 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.76-0.84; P < .001; odds ratio = 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.80-0.85; P < .001, respectively). Factors associated with radiotherapy refusal included: Medicaid or Medicare as primary insurance, uninsured status, low household median income, and lower educational level. Regarding chemotherapy, uninsured patients, Medicaid patients, and patients with a high comorbidity index were more likely to refuse chemotherapy. Asians had lower rates of chemotherapy refusal relative to non-Hispanic whites. Non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics, and Asians had increasing chemotherapy refusal rates over time, while non-Hispanic blacks had less pronounced trends over time. CONCLUSION Socioeconomic factors rather than race/ethnicity appear to influence the refusal of cancer treatment in patients with stage IV NSCLC. Assessing socioeconomic challenges should be an essential part of patient evaluation when discussing treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narjust Duma
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI.
| | - Dame W Idossa
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | | | - Ryan D Frank
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Jonas Paludo
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | - Yanyan Lou
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
| | | | - Alex A Adjei
- Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Ronald S Go
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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Witte J, Mehlis K, Surmann B, Lingnau R, Damm O, Greiner W, Winkler EC. Methods for measuring financial toxicity after cancer diagnosis and treatment: a systematic review and its implications. Ann Oncol 2019; 30:1061-1070. [PMID: 31046080 PMCID: PMC6637374 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients experiencing financial distress as a side-effect of cancer are not only reported in the United States, but also in third-party payer healthcare systems in Europe. Since validated survey instruments are a prerequisite for robust and comparable results, we aimed to compile and classify available instruments to enable both a better understanding of the underlying construct of financial toxicity and to facilitate further studies that are adjustable to various healthcare systems. We did a systematic literature search on studies that provide data on perceived cancer-related financial distress experienced by adult patients using PubMed, CINAHL and Web of Science databases up to 2018. We analyzed all detected instruments, items domains and questions with regard to their wording, scales and the domains of financial distress covered. Among 3298 records screened, 41 publications based on 40 studies matched our inclusion criteria. Based on the analysis of 352 different questions we identified 6 relevant subdomains that represent perceptions of and reactions to experienced financial distress: (i) active financial spending, (ii) use of passive financial resources, (iii) psychosocial responses, (iv) support seeking, (v) coping with care or (vi) coping with ones' lifestyle. We found an inconsistent coverage and use of these domains that makes it difficult to compare and quantify the prevalence of financial distress. Moreover, some existing instruments do not reflect relevant domains for patients in third-party payer systems. There is neither a consistent understanding of the construct of financial burden nor do available instruments cover all relevant aspects of a patients' distress perception. We encourage using the identified six domains to further develop survey instruments and adjust them to different health systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Witte
- Department of Health Economics and Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld
| | - K Mehlis
- Department of Medical Oncology, Programme for Ethics and Patient Oriented Care, National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - B Surmann
- Department of Health Economics and Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld
| | - R Lingnau
- Department of Health Economics and Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld
| | - O Damm
- Department of Health Economics and Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld
| | - W Greiner
- Department of Health Economics and Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld
| | - E C Winkler
- Department of Medical Oncology, Programme for Ethics and Patient Oriented Care, National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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75
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Mady LJ, Lyu L, Owoc MS, Peddada SD, Thomas TH, Sabik LM, Johnson JT, Nilsen ML. Understanding financial toxicity in head and neck cancer survivors. Oral Oncol 2019; 95:187-193. [PMID: 31345389 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2019.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES (1) Describe financial toxicity (FT) in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors and assess its association with personal/health characteristics and health-related quality of life (HRQOL); (2) examine financial coping mechanisms (savings/loans); (3) assess relationship between COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity (COST) and Financial Distress Questionnaire (FDQ). PATIENTS AND METHODS Cross-sectional survey from January - April 2018 of insured patients at a tertiary multidisciplinary HNC survivorship clinic who completed primary treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, or larynx/hypopharynx. RESULTS Of 104 survivors, 30 (40.5%) demonstrated high FT. Patients with worse FT were more likely (1) not married (COST, 25.33 ± 1.87 vs. 30.61 ± 1.34, p = 0.008); (2) of lower education levels (COST, 26.12 ± 1.47 vs. 34.14 ± 1.47, p < 0.001); and (3) with larynx/hypopharynx primaries (COST, 22.86 ± 2.28 vs. 30.27 ± 1.50 vs. 32.72 ± 1.98, p = 0.005). Younger age (4.23, 95%CI 2.20 to 6.26, p < 0.001), lower earnings at diagnosis (1.17, 95%CI 0.76 to 1.58, p < 0.001), and loss in earnings (-1.80, 95%CI -2.43 to -1.16, p < 0.001) were associated with worse FT. COST was associated with HRQOL (0.08, p = 0.03). Most survivors (63/102, 60%) reported using savings and/or loans. Worse FT was associated with increased likelihood of using more mechanisms (COST, OR1.06, 95%CI 1.02 to 1.10, p = 0.004). Similar results were found with FDQ. CONCLUSIONS We found differences in FT by primary site, with worst FT in larynx/hypopharynx patients. This finding illuminates potential site-specific factors, e.g. workplace discrimination or inability to return to work, that may contribute to increased risk. FDQ correlates strongly with COST, encouraging further exploration as a clinically-meaningful screening tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila J Mady
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| | - Lingyun Lyu
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Maryanna S Owoc
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Shyamal D Peddada
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Teresa H Thomas
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Lindsay M Sabik
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jonas T Johnson
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Marci L Nilsen
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Acute and Tertiary Care, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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76
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Banegas MP, Schneider JL, Firemark AJ, Dickerson JF, Kent EE, de Moor JS, Virgo KS, Guy GP, Ekwueme DU, Zheng Z, Varga AM, Waiwaiole LA, Nutt SM, Narayan A, Yabroff KR. The social and economic toll of cancer survivorship: a complex web of financial sacrifice. J Cancer Surviv 2019; 13:406-417. [PMID: 31123985 PMCID: PMC6724195 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-019-00761-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the financial outcomes and associated social and economic effects on cancer survivors and their families. METHODS We assessed the responses of 1656 cancer survivors to a survey with both closed- and open-ended questions about cancer-related financial sacrifices they and their family experienced and evaluated differences in financial sacrifice by reported levels of cancer-related debt. RESULTS The most commonly reported financial sacrifices included cutbacks on household budgets, challenges with health care insurance and costs, career/self-advancement constraints, reduction/depletion of assets, and inability to pay bills. Survivors who incurred $10,000 or more in debt were significantly more likely to report social and economic impacts, including housing concerns and strained relationships. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis demonstrates both the frequency with which cancer survivors and families must make financial sacrifices as a result of their cancer, and the variety of forms that this sacrifice can take, even for individuals who have health insurance. The many types of financial hardship create challenges that are unique to each survivor and family. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS Interventions that allow for personalized assistance with the specific financial and social needs of cancer survivors and their families have the potential to address a critical aspect of the long-term wellbeing of this important population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P Banegas
- Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, 3800 N. Interstate Ave., Portland, OR, 97227, USA.
| | - Jennifer L Schneider
- Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, 3800 N. Interstate Ave., Portland, OR, 97227, USA
| | - Alison J Firemark
- Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, 3800 N. Interstate Ave., Portland, OR, 97227, USA
| | - John F Dickerson
- Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, 3800 N. Interstate Ave., Portland, OR, 97227, USA
| | - Erin E Kent
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- ICF International, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Janet S de Moor
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Gery P Guy
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Donatus U Ekwueme
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zhiyuan Zheng
- Economics & Healthcare Delivery Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alexandra M Varga
- Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, 3800 N. Interstate Ave., Portland, OR, 97227, USA
| | - Lisa A Waiwaiole
- Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, 3800 N. Interstate Ave., Portland, OR, 97227, USA
| | | | | | - K Robin Yabroff
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
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77
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Fang P, Jagsi R, He W, Lei X, Campbell EG, Giordano SH, Smith GL. Rising and Falling Trends in the Use of Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy Near the End of Life in Older Patients With Cancer. J Clin Oncol 2019; 37:1721-1731. [PMID: 31141431 DOI: 10.1200/jco.18.02067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE End-of-life (EOL) chemotherapy has been described as the most widespread, wasteful, and unnecessary practice in oncology, with benchmarking aimed to reduce physician use of chemotherapy within 14 days of EOL. We evaluated the recent transformation of EOL chemotherapy and targeted therapy practices nationally. METHODS In patients older than 65 years of age who died as a result of breast (n = 19,887), lung (n = 79,613), colorectal (n = 29,844), or prostate (n = 17,910) cancer between 2007 and 2013, we evaluated the guideline-benchmarked measure of chemotherapy use within 14 days of EOL in SEER-Medicare. Comparison outcomes were nonbenchmarked measures of chemotherapy and targeted therapy across time points within 6 months of EOL. Cochran-Armitage test was used to evaluate temporal trends. Multilevel logistic models and intraclass correlation coefficient was used to evaluate variation in EOL chemotherapy use at the physician level. RESULTS From 2007 to 2013, chemotherapy within 14 days of EOL declined from 6.7% to 4.9% of patients (Ptrend < .001; ∆ = -1.8%). Similar declines occurred for chemotherapy within 1 month (Ptrend < .001; ∆ = -1.8%) and 2 months (Ptrend < .001; ∆ = -1.3%) of EOL. In contrast, chemotherapy within 4 to 6 months of EOL rose (Ptrend ≤ .04; ∆ = 0.7% to 1.7%), and 43.0% of all patients received chemotherapy within 6 months of EOL. Frequency of targeted therapy use across all time points within 6 months of EOL was stable to marginally rising from 2007 to 2013 (Ptrend = .09 to .82; ∆ = -0.2% to 1.8%); overall, 1.2% received targeted therapy within 14 days and 3.6% within 1 month of EOL. By 2013, 13.2% of patients received any targeted therapy within 6 months of EOL. In a multilevel model, 5.19% (intraclass correlation coefficient) of variation in 14-day EOL chemotherapy was attributed to the physician level. CONCLUSION With national benchmarking, chemotherapy within 14 days of EOL successfully declined to less than 5%, with comprehensive benchmark uptake by physicians. Results may inform current strategies to help to achieve high-value EOL oncology practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penny Fang
- 1 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | - Weiguo He
- 1 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Xiudong Lei
- 1 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | | | - Grace L Smith
- 1 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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78
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Truong J, Chan KKW, Mai H, Chambers A, Sabharwal M, Trudeau ME, Cheung MC. The impact of pricing strategy on the costs of oral anti-cancer drugs. Cancer Med 2019; 8:3770-3781. [PMID: 31132223 PMCID: PMC6639183 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.2269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The soaring costs of anti‐cancer drugs pose a threat to the sustainability of cancer care. The pricing strategy chosen by manufacturers can impact the costs of oral anti‐cancer drugs during dose modifications, but this issue remains under‐recognized in the literature. In general, with the flat pricing strategy, there is a single fixed price for each tablet regardless of dosage strength, whereas with linear pricing, the price of each tablet increases with its dose. We hypothesize that flat pricing will have increased drug costs compared to linear pricing during dose reductions since the cost remains fixed despite decreased dose requirements. This practice may have significant financial implications considering the high costs, extensive utilization, and frequent occurence of dose reductions with anti‐cancer drugs. Methods Oral anti‐cancer drugs reviewed by the pan‐Canadian Oncology Drug Review program between 2011 and 2018 were identified. The cost per mg and cost per 28‐day cycle were calculated for dose levels −2 to +2. The percent change in cost per mg and cost per cycle during dose modifications from the standard dose were calculated. We conducted Mann‐Whitney U and Fisher‐exact tests to compare the association between drug costs during dose reductions and pricing strategy. Results In this study, 30 oral anti‐cancer drugs for use in 41 indications were analyzed; 44% of drugs used linear pricing and 56% used flat pricing. Dose reductions increased the mean cost per mg for drugs with linear pricing by 14.7% (range: 0%‐50%) at dose level −1 and 17.2% (range: 0%‐50%) at dose level −2 and flat pricing by 60.8% (range: 19%‐100%) at dose level −1 and 99.1% (range: 0%‐300%) at dose level −2. The cost per mg was significantly increased in drugs using flat pricing compared to linear pricing when dose reduction to either level ‐1 (P = 0.010) or level ‐2 (P = 0.006) occurred. The mean cost per cycle was decreased for drugs using linear pricing by 20.9% (range: −40% to 0%) at dose level −1 and 48.7% (range: −60% to −25%) at dose level −2 and flat pricing by 0.8% (range −6% to 0%) at dose level −1 and 11.0% (range: −50% to 100%) at dose level −2. The cost per cycle was significantly decreased in drugs with linear pricing compared to flat pricing when the standard dose is reduced to either dose level ‐1 (P = 0.005) or dose level ‐2 (P = 0.026). Conclusions Overall, flat pricing had significantly greater costs compared to linear pricing during dose reductions of anti‐cancer drugs. While there is a general expectation that the cost of drugs should decrease with dose reduction, drugs with flat pricing were generally found to have increased cost per mg and no change in the cost per cycle. The resultant increased spending on drug acquisition (despite purchasing lower doses) lead to financial wastage, which has significant implications on cost‐effectiveness considerations and budgets. Future economic evaluations should take into consideration the hidden costs associated with dose reductions of flat priced drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Truong
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Hematology and Oncology, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kelvin K W Chan
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Hematology and Oncology, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada.,Pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Helen Mai
- Pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Alexandra Chambers
- Pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mona Sabharwal
- Pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Maureen E Trudeau
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Hematology and Oncology, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada.,Pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Matthew C Cheung
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Hematology and Oncology, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada.,Pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, Toronto, Canada
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79
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Rovers KP, Bakkers C, Simkens GAAM, Burger JWA, Nienhuijs SW, Creemers GJM, Thijs AMJ, Brandt-Kerkhof ARM, Madsen EVE, Ayez N, de Boer NL, van Meerten E, Tuynman JB, Kusters M, Sluiter NR, Verheul HMW, van der Vliet HJ, Wiezer MJ, Boerma D, Wassenaar ECE, Los M, Hunting CB, Aalbers AGJ, Kok NFM, Kuhlmann KFD, Boot H, Chalabi M, Kruijff S, Been LB, van Ginkel RJ, de Groot DJA, Fehrmann RSN, de Wilt JHW, Bremers AJA, de Reuver PR, Radema SA, Herbschleb KH, van Grevenstein WMU, Witkamp AJ, Koopman M, Haj Mohammad N, van Duyn EB, Mastboom WJB, Mekenkamp LJM, Nederend J, Lahaye MJ, Snaebjornsson P, Verhoef C, van Laarhoven HWM, Zwinderman AH, Bouma JM, Kranenburg O, van 't Erve I, Fijneman RJA, Dijkgraaf MGW, Hemmer PHJ, Punt CJA, Tanis PJ, de Hingh IHJT. Perioperative systemic therapy and cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC versus upfront cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC alone for isolated resectable colorectal peritoneal metastases: protocol of a multicentre, open-label, parallel-group, phase II-III, randomised, superiority study (CAIRO6). BMC Cancer 2019; 19:390. [PMID: 31023318 PMCID: PMC6485075 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5545-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Upfront cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC (CRS-HIPEC) is the standard treatment for isolated resectable colorectal peritoneal metastases (PM) in the Netherlands. This study investigates whether addition of perioperative systemic therapy to CRS-HIPEC improves oncological outcomes. Methods This open-label, parallel-group, phase II-III, randomised, superiority study is performed in nine Dutch tertiary referral centres. Eligible patients are adults who have a good performance status, histologically or cytologically proven resectable PM of a colorectal adenocarcinoma, no systemic colorectal metastases, no systemic therapy for colorectal cancer within six months prior to enrolment, and no previous CRS-HIPEC. Eligible patients are randomised (1:1) to perioperative systemic therapy and CRS-HIPEC (experimental arm) or upfront CRS-HIPEC alone (control arm) by using central randomisation software with minimisation stratified by a peritoneal cancer index of 0–10 or 11–20, metachronous or synchronous PM, previous systemic therapy for colorectal cancer, and HIPEC with oxaliplatin or mitomycin C. At the treating physician’s discretion, perioperative systemic therapy consists of either four 3-weekly neoadjuvant and adjuvant cycles of capecitabine with oxaliplatin (CAPOX), six 2-weekly neoadjuvant and adjuvant cycles of 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin with oxaliplatin (FOLFOX), or six 2-weekly neoadjuvant cycles of 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin with irinotecan (FOLFIRI) followed by four 3-weekly (capecitabine) or six 2-weekly (5-fluorouracil/leucovorin) adjuvant cycles of fluoropyrimidine monotherapy. Bevacizumab is added to the first three (CAPOX) or four (FOLFOX/FOLFIRI) neoadjuvant cycles. The first 80 patients are enrolled in a phase II study to explore the feasibility of accrual and the feasibility, safety, and tolerance of perioperative systemic therapy. If predefined criteria of feasibility and safety are met, the study continues as a phase III study with 3-year overall survival as primary endpoint. A total of 358 patients is needed to detect the hypothesised 15% increase in 3-year overall survival (control arm 50%; experimental arm 65%). Secondary endpoints are surgical characteristics, major postoperative morbidity, progression-free survival, disease-free survival, health-related quality of life, costs, major systemic therapy related toxicity, and objective radiological and histopathological response rates. Discussion This is the first randomised study that prospectively compares oncological outcomes of perioperative systemic therapy and CRS-HIPEC with upfront CRS-HIPEC alone for isolated resectable colorectal PM. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov/NCT02758951, NTR/NTR6301, ISRCTN/ISRCTN15977568, EudraCT/2016–001865-99.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen P Rovers
- Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital, PO Box 1350, 5602 ZA, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Checca Bakkers
- Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital, PO Box 1350, 5602 ZA, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Geert A A M Simkens
- Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital, PO Box 1350, 5602 ZA, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Jacobus W A Burger
- Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital, PO Box 1350, 5602 ZA, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Simon W Nienhuijs
- Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital, PO Box 1350, 5602 ZA, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan M Creemers
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catharina Hospital, PO Box 1350, 5602, Eindhoven, ZA, Netherlands
| | - Anna M J Thijs
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catharina Hospital, PO Box 1350, 5602, Eindhoven, ZA, Netherlands
| | | | - Eva V E Madsen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus Medical Centre, PO Box 2040, 3000, Rotterdam, CA, Netherlands
| | - Ninos Ayez
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus Medical Centre, PO Box 2040, 3000, Rotterdam, CA, Netherlands
| | - Nadine L de Boer
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus Medical Centre, PO Box 2040, 3000, Rotterdam, CA, Netherlands
| | - Esther van Meerten
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, PO Box 2040, 3000, Rotterdam, CA, Netherlands
| | - Jurriaan B Tuynman
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Location VUMC, PO Box 7057, 1007, Amsterdam, MB, Netherlands
| | - Miranda Kusters
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Location VUMC, PO Box 7057, 1007, Amsterdam, MB, Netherlands
| | - Nina R Sluiter
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Location VUMC, PO Box 7057, 1007, Amsterdam, MB, Netherlands
| | - Henk M W Verheul
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Location VUMC, PO Box 7057, 1007, Amsterdam, MB, Netherlands
| | - Hans J van der Vliet
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Location VUMC, PO Box 7057, 1007, Amsterdam, MB, Netherlands
| | - Marinus J Wiezer
- Department of Surgery, St. Antonius Hospital, PO Box 2500, 3430, Nieuwegein, EM, Netherlands
| | - Djamila Boerma
- Department of Surgery, St. Antonius Hospital, PO Box 2500, 3430, Nieuwegein, EM, Netherlands
| | - Emma C E Wassenaar
- Department of Surgery, St. Antonius Hospital, PO Box 2500, 3430, Nieuwegein, EM, Netherlands
| | - Maartje Los
- Department of Medical Oncology, St. Antonius Hospital, PO Box 2500, 3430, Nieuwegein, EM, Netherlands
| | - Cornelis B Hunting
- Department of Medical Oncology, St. Antonius Hospital, PO Box 2500, 3430, Nieuwegein, EM, Netherlands
| | - Arend G J Aalbers
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, PO Box 90203, 1006, Amsterdam, BE, Netherlands
| | - Niels F M Kok
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, PO Box 90203, 1006, Amsterdam, BE, Netherlands
| | - Koert F D Kuhlmann
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, PO Box 90203, 1006, Amsterdam, BE, Netherlands
| | - Henk Boot
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, PO Box 90203, 1006, Amsterdam, BE, Netherlands
| | - Myriam Chalabi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, PO Box 90203, 1006, Amsterdam, BE, Netherlands
| | - Schelto Kruijff
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, RB, Netherlands
| | - Lukas B Been
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, RB, Netherlands
| | - Robert J van Ginkel
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, RB, Netherlands
| | - Derk Jan A de Groot
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700, Groningen, RB, Netherlands
| | - Rudolf S N Fehrmann
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700, Groningen, RB, Netherlands
| | - Johannes H W de Wilt
- Department of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500, Nijmegen, HB, Netherlands
| | - Andreas J A Bremers
- Department of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500, Nijmegen, HB, Netherlands
| | - Philip R de Reuver
- Department of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500, Nijmegen, HB, Netherlands
| | - Sandra A Radema
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500, Nijmegen, HB, Netherlands
| | - Karin H Herbschleb
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500, Nijmegen, HB, Netherlands
| | | | - Arjen J Witkamp
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508, Utrecht, GA, Netherlands
| | - Miriam Koopman
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508, Utrecht, GA, Netherlands
| | - Nadia Haj Mohammad
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508, Utrecht, GA, Netherlands
| | - Eino B van Duyn
- Department of Surgery, Medisch Spectrum Twente, PO Box 50000, 7500, Enschede, KA, Netherlands
| | - Walter J B Mastboom
- Department of Surgery, Medisch Spectrum Twente, PO Box 50000, 7500, Enschede, KA, Netherlands
| | - Leonie J M Mekenkamp
- Department of Medical Oncology, Medisch Spectrum Twente, PO Box 50000, 7500, Enschede, KA, Netherlands
| | - Joost Nederend
- Department of Radiology, Catharina Hospital, PO Box 1350, 5602, Eindhoven, ZA, Netherlands
| | - Max J Lahaye
- Department of Radiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, PO Box 90203, 1006, Amsterdam, BE, Netherlands
| | - Petur Snaebjornsson
- Department of Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, PO Box 90203, 1006, Amsterdam, BE, Netherlands
| | - Cornelis Verhoef
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus Medical Centre, PO Box 2040, 3000, Rotterdam, CA, Netherlands
| | - Hanneke W M van Laarhoven
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Location AMC, PO Box 22660, 1100, Amsterdam, DD, Netherlands
| | - Aeilko H Zwinderman
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Location AMC, PO Box 22660, 1100, Amsterdam, DD, Netherlands
| | - Jeanette M Bouma
- Clinical Trial Department, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), PO Box 19079, 3501, Utrecht, DB, Netherlands
| | - Onno Kranenburg
- UMC Utrecht Cancer Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508, Utrecht, GA, Netherlands
| | - Iris van 't Erve
- Department of Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, PO Box 90203, 1006, Amsterdam, BE, Netherlands
| | - Remond J A Fijneman
- Department of Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, PO Box 90203, 1006, Amsterdam, BE, Netherlands
| | - Marcel G W Dijkgraaf
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Location AMC, PO Box 22660, 1100, Amsterdam, DD, Netherlands
| | - Patrick H J Hemmer
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, RB, Netherlands
| | - Cornelis J A Punt
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Location AMC, PO Box 22660, 1100, Amsterdam, DD, Netherlands
| | - Pieter J Tanis
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Location AMC, PO Box 22660, 1100, Amsterdam, DD, Netherlands
| | - Ignace H J T de Hingh
- Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital, PO Box 1350, 5602 ZA, Eindhoven, Netherlands.
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Rural-urban differences in financial burden among cancer survivors: an analysis of a nationally representative survey. Support Care Cancer 2019; 27:4779-4786. [PMID: 30972645 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-019-04742-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Rural cancer survivors may disproportionately experience financial problems due to their cancer because of greater travel costs, higher uninsured/underinsured rates, and other factors compared to their urban counterparts. Our objective was to examine rural-urban differences in reported financial problems due to cancer using a nationally representative survey. METHODS We used data from three iterations of the National Cancer Institute's Health Information and National Trends Survey (2012, 2014, and 2017) to identify participants who had a previous or current cancer diagnosis. Our outcome of interest was self-reported financial problems associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment. Rural-urban status was defined using 2003 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes. We calculated weighted percentages and Wald chi-square statistics to assess rural-urban differences in demographic and cancer characteristics. In multivariable logistic regression models, we examined the association between rural-urban status and other factors and financial problems, reporting the corresponding adjusted predicted probabilities. FINDINGS Our sample included 1359 cancer survivors. Rural cancer survivors were more likely to be married, retired, and live in the Midwest or South. Over half (50.5%) of rural cancer survivors reported financial problems due to cancer compared to 38.8% of urban survivors (p = 0.02). This difference was attenuated in multivariable models, 49.3 and 38.7% in rural and urban survivors, respectively (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS A higher proportion of rural survivors reported financial problems associated with their cancer diagnosis and treatment compared to urban survivors. Future research should aim to elucidate these disparities and interventions should be tested to address the cancer-related financial problems experienced by rural survivors.
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81
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The Main Metabolites of Fluorouracil + Adriamycin + Cyclophosphamide (FAC) Are Not Major Contributors to FAC Toxicity in H9c2 Cardiac Differentiated Cells. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9030098. [PMID: 30862114 PMCID: PMC6468772 DOI: 10.3390/biom9030098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the clinical practice, the combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) + Adriamycin (also known as doxorubicin, DOX) + cyclophosphamide (CYA) (known as FAC) is used to treat breast cancer. The FAC therapy, however, carries some serious risks, namely potential cardiotoxic effects, although the mechanisms are still unclear. In the present study, the role of the main metabolites regarding FAC-induced cardiotoxicity was assessed at clinical relevant concentrations. Seven-day differentiated H9c2 cells were exposed for 48 h to the main metabolites of FAC, namely the metabolite of 5-FU, α-fluoro-β-alanine (FBAL, 50 or 100 μM), of DOX, doxorubicinol (DOXOL, 0.2 or 1 μM), and of CYA, acrolein (ACRO, 1 or 10 μM), as well as to their combination. The parent drugs (5-FU 50 μM, DOX 1 μM, and CYA 50 μM) were also tested isolated or in combination with the metabolites. Putative cytotoxicity was evaluated through phase contrast microscopy, Hoechst staining, membrane mitochondrial potential, and by two cytotoxicity assays: the reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and the neutral red (NR) lysosomal incorporation. The metabolite DOXOL was more toxic than FBAL and ACRO in the MTT and NR assays. When in combination, neither FBAL nor ACRO increased DOXOL-induced cytotoxicity. No nuclear condensation was observed for any of the tested combinations; however, a significant mitochondrial potential depolarization after FBAL 100 μM + DOXOL 1 μM + ACRO 10 μM or FBAL 100 μM + DOXOL 1 μM exposure was seen at 48 h. When tested alone DOX 1 μM was more cytotoxic than all the parent drugs and metabolites in both the cytotoxicity assays performed. These results demonstrated that DOXOL was the most toxic of all the metabolites tested; nonetheless, the metabolites do not seem to be the major contributors to FAC-induced cardiotoxicity in this cardiac model.
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82
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McCullough R. Merit-based Claim Adjudication for Cancer Treatment Toxicities - Policy Trends that Lower Downstream Costs. J Insur Med 2019; 47:236-248. [PMID: 30779603 DOI: 10.17849/insm-47-4-1-13.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND -Due largely to the lack of effective therapeutic options, between 1973-2013, chemoradiation toxic mucositis (CRTM) has remained an uncapped expenditure for 40 years, with incremental costs of $17,000-$40,000 per patient per episode. Costs in patient morbidity and mortality have continued as well. A recent therapeutic option associated with complete prevention and/or rapid sustained elimination (high potency polymerized cross-linked sucralfate, HPPCLS) delivers value by eliminating downstream costs CRTM experienced in the first 12 months. While many insurers carry the therapy as a specialty pharmacy support drug, few are familiar with the associated health economic benefits and the statutory requirements driving its coverage. PURPOSE -To present the rationale behind early policy trends that frame CRTM as an emergent/urgent medical condition mandated coverage as an essential health benefit. Rather than problematic for costs, this coverage trend appears to be value-based. METHODS -Discuss early adverse claim experience of HPPCLS. Present the costs, tenets and statutes driving policy trend toward obligatory coverage of CRTM. Review the ethical (fiduciary) and statutory requirements for CRTM coverage. RESULTS -CRTM coverage is ethically responsible since it is a direct consequence of authorized cancer treatment. The symptom/signs complex of CRTM meets the 'prudent layperson' statutory definition of emergency medical condition. All previously uncapped downstream costs of CRTM can be reduced to the cost of therapy, saving $15-$30K per patient per CRTM episode. CONCLUSIONS -Policy trend of CRTM coverage as an emergent/urgent medical condition is a value-based approach of toxicity management, conserving resources, cutting costs and eliminating patient morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricky McCullough
- Translational Medicine Clinic & Research Center, 1768 Storrs Road, Storrs Connecticut 06268; ph: 860-477-0961;
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83
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Pereira-Oliveira M, Reis-Mendes A, Carvalho F, Remião F, Bastos MDL, Costa VM. Doxorubicin Is Key for the Cardiotoxicity of FAC (5-Fluorouracil + Adriamycin + Cyclophosphamide) Combination in Differentiated H9c2 Cells. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9010021. [PMID: 30634681 PMCID: PMC6358964 DOI: 10.3390/biom9010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, a common therapeutic approach in cancer treatment encompasses a drug combination to attain an overall better efficacy. Unfortunately, it leads to a higher incidence of severe side effects, namely cardiotoxicity. This work aimed to assess the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin (DOX, also known as Adriamycin), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), cyclophosphamide (CYA), and their combination (5-Fluorouracil + Adriamycin + Cyclophosphamide, FAC) in H9c2 cardiac cells, for a better understanding of the contribution of each drug to FAC-induced cardiotoxicity. Differentiated H9c2 cells were exposed to pharmacological relevant concentrations of DOX (0.13–5 μM), 5-FU (0.13–5 μM), CYA (0.13–5 μM) for 24 or 48 h. Cells were also exposed to FAC mixtures (0.2, 1 or 5 μM of each drug and 50 μM 5-FU + 1 μM DOX + 50 μM CYA). DOX was the most cytotoxic drug, followed by 5-FU and lastly CYA in both cytotoxicity assays (reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and neutral red (NR) uptake). Concerning the equimolar combination with 1 or 5 μM, FAC caused similar cytotoxicity to DOX alone. Even in the presence of higher concentrations of 5-FU and CYA (50 μM 5-FU + 1 μM DOX + 50 μM CYA), 1 μM DOX was still a determinant for the cardiotoxicity observed in the cytotoxicity assays, phase contrast morphological evaluation, and mitochondrial potential depolarization evaluation. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first in vitro work with this combination regimen, DOX being the most toxic drug and key to the toxicity of FAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pereira-Oliveira
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Ana Reis-Mendes
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Félix Carvalho
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Fernando Remião
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Maria de Lourdes Bastos
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Vera Marisa Costa
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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Shibata S, Matsushita M, Saito Y, Suzuki T. Anticancer Drug Prescription Patterns in Japan: Future Directions in Cancer Therapy. Ther Innov Regul Sci 2018; 52:718-723. [DOI: 10.1177/2168479017751404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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85
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Frees SK, Kamal MM, Nestler S, Levien PM, Bidnur S, Brenner W, Thomas C, Jaeger W, Thüroff JW, Roos FC. Risk-adjusted proposal for >60 months follow up after surgical treatment of organ-confined renal cell carcinoma according to life expectancy. Int J Urol 2018; 26:385-390. [PMID: 30588677 DOI: 10.1111/iju.13882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the long-term oncological outcome of organ-confined (<pT3) renal cell carcinoma. METHODS We identified 889 patients with complete long-term follow-up data, who had been surgically treated for renal cell carcinoma (<T3) at our institution between 1976 and 2009. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess the incidence and time interval of recurrence defined as local recurrences or metastases. We further compared patients who had tumor progression before or after 60 months. RESULTS After a median follow-up period of 74.33 months (range 3-329 months), 44 patients (4.9%) had disease recurrence. A total of 38.6% of the recurrences occurred after 60 months; 76.2% of patients had distant metastases and 23.8% of patients had local recurrences. In patients with low-grade (G1) and low-stage (pT1a) tumors, there was a trend to develop recurrence or metastases after longer intervals. Patients with lung metastasis and patients with multiple metastatic locations developed these metastases earlier than patients with bone metastasis. The risk of dying of other causes correlated with age, but the time interval to metastases did not. CONCLUSIONS Current guidelines recommend a follow-up period of 60 months after surgical treatment of organ-confined renal cell carcinoma. Our data shows that one-third of recurrences of <pT3 renal cell carcinoma occur after 60 months. According to our oncological analysis, we suggest an age-adjusted strategy of follow-up balancing the risk of tumor recurrence and the life expectancy of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammed M Kamal
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany.,Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Sebastian Nestler
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany.,Department of Urology, Hochtaunus Hospital Bad Homburg, Bad Homburg, Germany
| | | | - Samir Bidnur
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Urological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Christian Thomas
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Jaeger
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Frederik C Roos
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
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86
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Chin AL, Bentley JP, Pollom EL. The impact of state parity laws on copayments for and adherence to oral endocrine therapy for breast cancer. Cancer 2018; 125:374-381. [PMID: 30566762 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.31910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adherence to endocrine therapy for breast cancer is often inadequate, in part because of out-of-pocket costs for medication. Numerous states have enacted parity laws to limit patient cost-sharing for oral anticancer drugs. The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of these laws on patient copayments for and adherence to oral endocrine therapy for breast cancer. METHODS Administrative health insurance claims data from 2007 to 2014 derived from a US health care database were used to identify female patients aged 18 to 64 years with invasive cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast who initiated endocrine therapy and were enrolled in fully insured health plans in states that either enacted parity legislation between 2008 and 2013 or had not yet enacted such legislation by 2015. Differences-in-differences analysis was used to compare copayments for and adherence to endocrine therapy during the 1-year period before and after each year of legislation enactment. RESULTS In total, 6900 individuals who received 7778 unique drug therapy courses were identified. Parity legislation was associated with significant decreases in the 25th percentile of copayments for anastrozole of $4.39 (95% confidence interval [CI], -$4.52 to -$4.26; P < .001) and for exemestane of $3.08 (95% CI, -$4.80 to -$1.35; P < .001). The median copayment for exemestane decreased by $10.25 (95% CI, -$12.61 to -$7.89; P < .001). A higher median monthly copayment was significantly associated with a greater risk of medication nonadherence (adjusted risk ratio, 1.006 per dollar increase; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Parity laws had a modest effect on lowering the cost of anastrozole and exemestane, but more focused efforts to limit out-of-pocket costs for endocrine therapy may have a greater impact on medication adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander L Chin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, California
| | - Jason P Bentley
- Quantitative Sciences Unit, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Erqi L Pollom
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, California
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87
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Nipp RD, Sonet EM, Guy GP. Communicating the Financial Burden of Treatment With Patients. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2018; 38:524-531. [PMID: 30231377 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_201051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, high health care costs and the financial burden of cancer care have received increased attention. In response to the financial burden of cancer care, patients may jeopardize their health outcomes by not properly adhering to prescribed therapies or even forgoing and delaying care in an effort to defray costs. In addition, the financial burden experienced by patients with cancer may negatively impact clinical outcomes, such as quality of life, physical and psychological symptoms, and potentially, even survival. Notably, in the current era of targeted treatment and immunotherapies for patients with cancer, the rising costs of cancer continue to remain at the forefront of patient concerns. Therefore, a critical need exists to determine how best to assist patients with the cost burden of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D Nipp
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; CancerCare, New York, NY; Divisions of Unintentional Injury Prevention and Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Ellen Miller Sonet
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; CancerCare, New York, NY; Divisions of Unintentional Injury Prevention and Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Gery P Guy
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; CancerCare, New York, NY; Divisions of Unintentional Injury Prevention and Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
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88
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Meisel JL, Venur VA, Gnant M, Carey L. Evolution of Targeted Therapy in Breast Cancer: Where Precision Medicine Began. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2018; 38:78-86. [PMID: 30231395 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_201037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
As we consider best practices and approaches to targeted therapy in the clinic and in terms of trial design, breast cancer can serve as a useful model for other disease types, because estrogen receptor-positive and HER2-positive breast cancer have been known entities for several decades. In this review, we provide a history of the development of anti-estrogen therapy and anti-HER2-directed therapy and we discuss our growing understanding of resistance to targeted therapy as seen through this lens. We highlight some of the recent breakthroughs that have enhanced our understanding of resistance to endocrine and anti-HER2 therapy, and we discuss some of the ongoing research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Lowe Meisel
- From the Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA; Medical University of Vienna and Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group, Vienna, Austria; UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Vyshak Alva Venur
- From the Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA; Medical University of Vienna and Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group, Vienna, Austria; UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Michael Gnant
- From the Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA; Medical University of Vienna and Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group, Vienna, Austria; UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Lisa Carey
- From the Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA; Medical University of Vienna and Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group, Vienna, Austria; UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC
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Jaber T, Waguespack SG, Cabanillas ME, Elbanan M, Vu T, Dadu R, Sherman SI, Amit M, Santos EB, Zafereo M, Busaidy NL. Targeted Therapy in Advanced Thyroid Cancer to Resensitize Tumors to Radioactive Iodine. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018; 103:3698-3705. [PMID: 30032208 PMCID: PMC6179172 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-00612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Many differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC) dedifferentiate and become radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory (RAIR) with worse outcomes. Targeted therapy (TTx) may downregulate MAPK signaling and sensitize tumors to RAI. OBJECTIVE We describe patients with RAIR DTC receiving TTx with demonstrated RAI uptake allowing for iodine-131 (I131) administration. DESIGN Charts of patients with metastatic, progressive, RAIR DTC in whom TTx increased RAI uptake on a diagnostic whole-body scan (WBS), were reviewed. Results of WBS, I131 administration, thyroglobulin (TG) panels, and cross-sectional studies were recorded. SETTING Thirteen patients [median age (range), 56 (45 to 75) years; seven men] were included; 11 (85%) had DTC, two (15%) had poorly DTC. Nine (69%) had BRAF mutations, three (23%) had RAS mutations, and one (8%) was wild type. Selective BRAF or an MEK inhibitor TTx was continued for a median (range) of 14.3 (1 to 76.4) months before diagnostic WBS. RESULTS Nine (69%) patients were treated with I131 [median (range) activity, 204.4 (150 to 253) mCi], after which TTx was discontinued. Median (range) follow-up was 8.3 (0 to 17.4) months after I131 therapy. All nine patients had durable disease control (three had partial response, six had stable disease). TG and TG antibody levels increased in patients who demonstrated uptake before TTx, and declined in eight of the nine patients after I131 treatment. Adverse events included pneumonitis and sialadenitis. CONCLUSION TTx in BRAF-/RAS-mutated RAIR DTC resensitizes tumors to iodine. Subsequent I131 administration results in meaningful responses. Patient selection, adverse events, response duration, and survival impact require additional study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Jaber
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Steven G Waguespack
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Maria E Cabanillas
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Mohamed Elbanan
- Department of Quantitative Imaging Analysis Core, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Thinh Vu
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ramona Dadu
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Steven I Sherman
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Moran Amit
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Elmer B Santos
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Mark Zafereo
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Naifa L Busaidy
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Correspondence and Reprint Requests: Naifa L. Busaidy, MD, Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030. E-mail:
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Hong SJ, Li EC, Matusiak LM, Schumock GT. Spending on Antineoplastic Agents in the United States, 2011 to 2016. J Oncol Pract 2018; 14:JOP1800069. [PMID: 30226791 DOI: 10.1200/jop.18.00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE: Recent cancer drug approvals are lauded as being more effective with relatively fewer adverse effects, but these treatments come with a great cost to the US health care system. There is little information on recent trends in actual antineoplastic expenditures representative of the whole US health care system or by sector. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe antineoplastic expenditures in the United States by year and sector. METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of IQVIA (formerly QuintilesIMS) National Sales Perspective data for the period of January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2016. Actual expenditures were totaled by health care sector and calendar year, then adjusted for medical-cost inflation to 2016 dollars. Growth was calculated as the percentage increase from the previous year. RESULTS: Total expenditures of antineoplastic agents across all channels grew from $26.8 billion in 2011 to $42.1 billion in 2016. Antineoplastic spending increased 12.2% in 2016 (compared with the previous year), followed by 15.6% in 2015, 13.4% in 2014, 6.3% in 2013, and 0.4% in 2012. Throughout the study period, 96.5% of total antineoplastic expenditures occurred within clinics, mail-order pharmacies, nonfederal hospitals, and retail pharmacies. CONCLUSION: Antineoplastic expenditures are expected to increase because of continuing development and approval of costly targeted cancer therapies. Cost containment and utilization management strategies must be balanced so as not to restrict access or disrupt innovation. Future policies should focus on ensuring safe and appropriate use of antineoplastics while balancing long-term drug costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Hong
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL; Sandoz, Princeton, NJ; and Plymouth Meeting, PA
| | - Edward C Li
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL; Sandoz, Princeton, NJ; and Plymouth Meeting, PA
| | - Linda M Matusiak
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL; Sandoz, Princeton, NJ; and Plymouth Meeting, PA
| | - Glen T Schumock
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL; Sandoz, Princeton, NJ; and Plymouth Meeting, PA
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91
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Vergnenègre A, Chouaïd C. Review of economic analyses of treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res 2018; 18:519-528. [PMID: 29869900 DOI: 10.1080/14737167.2018.1485099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION During the past few years, medical-economic evaluation of lung cancers (LCs) has become unavoidable. Total management costs have been rising constantly, with values almost doubling every 10 years. The financial impact will be even greater with the new molecules now marketed. The methodology for these studies conforms with international recommendations but must be adapted to the new stakes of LC management. AREAS COVERED This review provides an overview of the available literature concerning the economics of treating non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We first address the global costs of LCs. Detailed analyses were then computed for the different LC stages: localized, locally advanced and metastatic. For metastatic NSCLC, subsections are devoted to targeted therapies and immunotherapies. EXPERT COMMENTARY Drug costs are one of the major challenges of LC management. The multiplication of medical-economic analyses will assure better access to the marketing of these new and expensive therapeutic agents, but also to the selection of the best management strategy for these cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Vergnenègre
- a Unité d'Oncologie Thoracique et Cutanée , Hôpital Dupuytren , Limoges , France
| | - Christos Chouaïd
- b Service de Pathologie Respiratoire , Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil , Créteil , France
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Dusetzina SB, Huskamp HA, Winn AN, Basch E, Keating NL. Out-of-Pocket and Health Care Spending Changes for Patients Using Orally Administered Anticancer Therapy After Adoption of State Parity Laws. JAMA Oncol 2018; 4:e173598. [PMID: 29121177 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2017.3598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Importance Oral anticancer medications are increasingly important but costly treatment options for patients with cancer. By early 2017, 43 states and Washington, DC, had passed laws to ensure patients with private insurance enrolled in fully insured health plans pay no more for anticancer medications administered by mouth than anticancer medications administered by infusion. Federal legislation regarding this issue is currently pending. Despite their rapid acceptance, the changes associated with state adoption of oral chemotherapy parity laws have not been described. Objective To estimate changes in oral anticancer medication use, out-of-pocket spending, and health plan spending associated with oral chemotherapy parity law adoption. Design, Setting, and Participants Analysis of administrative health plan claims data from 2008-2012 for 3 large nationwide insurers aggregated by the Health Care Cost Institute. Data analysis was first completed in 2015 and updated in 2017. The study population included 63 780 adults living in 1 of 16 states that passed parity laws during the study period and who received anticancer drug treatment for which orally administered treatment options were available. Study analysis used a difference-in-differences approach. Exposures Time period before and after adoption of state parity laws, controlling for whether the patient was enrolled in a plan subject to parity (fully insured) or not (self-funded, exempt via the Employee Retirement Income Security Act). Main Outcomes and Measures Oral anticancer medication use, out-of-pocket spending, and total health care spending. Results Of the 63 780 adults aged 18 through 64 years, 51.4% participated in fully insured plans and 48.6% in self-funded plans (57.2% were women; 76.8% were aged 45 to 64 years). The use of oral anticancer medication treatment as a proportion of all anticancer treatment increased from 18% to 22% (adjusted difference-in-differences risk ratio [aDDRR], 1.04; 95% CI, 0.96-1.13; P = .34) comparing months before vs after parity. In plans subject to parity laws, the proportion of prescription fills for orally administered therapy without copayment increased from 15.0% to 53.0%, more than double the increase (12.3%-18.0%) in plans not subject to parity (P < .001). The proportion of patients with out-of-pocket spending of more than $100 per month increased from 8.4% to 11.1% compared with a slight decline from 12.0% to 11.7% in plans not subject to parity (P = .004). In plans subject to parity laws, estimated monthly out-of-pocket spending decreased by $19.44 at the 25th percentile, by $32.13 at the 50th percentile, and by $10.83 at the 75th percentile but increased at the 90th ($37.19) and 95th ($143.25) percentiles after parity (all P < .001, controlling for changes in plans not subject to parity). Parity laws did not increase 6-month total spending for users of any anticancer therapy or for users of oral anticancer therapy alone. Conclusions and Relevance While oral chemotherapy parity laws modestly improved financial protection for many patients without increasing total health care spending, these laws alone may be insufficient to ensure that patients are protected from high out-of-pocket medication costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacie B Dusetzina
- Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.,Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.,University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill.,Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
| | - Haiden A Huskamp
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Aaron N Winn
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
| | - Ethan Basch
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.,University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill.,Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
| | - Nancy L Keating
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Division of General Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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93
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Rotenstein LS, Dusetzina SB, Keating NL. Out-of-Pocket Spending Not Associated with Oral Oncolytic Survival Benefit. J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2018; 24:494-502. [PMID: 29799324 PMCID: PMC6052860 DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2018.24.6.494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With total and out-of-pocket spending for oral oncolytics rising, there is increased interest in choosing oncology treatments based on their clinical value relative to cost. OBJECTIVE To determine if out-of-pocket spending varied for higher versus lower benefit oral oncology drugs reimbursed by commercial insurers. METHODS This study was a retrospective analysis of commercial insurer prescription drug claims filed between 2007 and 2014 for 13 oral oncolytics approved before 2009. We calculated mean monthly out-of-pocket payment for each fill by patient. We then categorized oral oncolytics by their overall and progression-free survival benefits for each FDA-approved indication, using evidence from published studies. We assessed the relationship of survival benefit with mean monthly out-of-pocket payment, adjusting for demographic and plan characteristics. RESULTS Our population included 44,113 patients aged 18-65 years (mean 52.5 [SD 9.4]) with a cancer diagnosis who filled 731,354 prescriptions. The most commonly represented oncolytics were imatinib (37.4% of fills), lenalidomide (17.7% of fills), and dasatinib (10.0% of fills). Approximately 32.3% of fills were for drug-indication pairs with an overall survival benefit of 4+ years. In adjusted analyses, there was no clear pattern to suggest that out-of-pocket payments differed with drug indication-specific survival benefits. Drugs for indications providing > 0 to 1 year of overall survival benefit were significantly more likely to have a lower out-of-pocket payment versus those prescribed off-label, but there were no significant differences in out-of-pocket payments between drugs and associated indications in any other survival category versus drugs used off-label. CONCLUSIONS Out-of-pocket payments for oral oncolytics were not clearly related to indication-specific value in commercially insured patients. This finding suggests that despite increased attention to value- and indication-based drug pricing, cost sharing for oral oncolytics does not currently reflect these goals. DISCLOSURES This project was supported by Research Scholar Grant RSGI-14-030-01-CPHPS from the American Cancer Society; the NIH Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH) K12 Program; the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute (UL1TR001111) Grant; and K24CA181510 from the National Cancer Institute. The authors have no disclosures. Data from this study were presented at the 2017 American Society for Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting on June 5, 2017, in Chicago, Illinois.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa S Rotenstein
- 1 Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, and Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stacie B Dusetzina
- 2 Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Eshelman School of Pharmacy and Gillings School of Global Public Health, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
| | - Nancy L Keating
- 1 Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, and Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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94
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Almeida D, Pinho R, Correia V, Soares J, Bastos MDL, Carvalho F, Capela JP, Costa VM. Mitoxantrone is More Toxic than Doxorubicin in SH-SY5Y Human Cells: A 'Chemobrain' In Vitro Study. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2018; 11:ph11020041. [PMID: 29734752 PMCID: PMC6027466 DOI: 10.3390/ph11020041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential neurotoxic effects of anticancer drugs, like doxorubicin (DOX) and mitoxantrone (MTX; also used in multiple sclerosis), are presently important reasons for concern, following epidemiological data indicating that cancer survivors submitted to chemotherapy may suffer cognitive deficits. We evaluated the in vitro neurotoxicity of two commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs, DOX and MTX, and study their underlying mechanisms in the SH-SY5Y human neuronal cell model. Undifferentiated human SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to DOX or MTX (0.13, 0.2 and 0.5 μM) for 48 h and two cytotoxicity assays were performed, the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) reduction and the neutral red (NR) incorporation assays. Phase contrast microphotographs, Hoechst, and acridine orange/ethidium bromide stains were performed. Mitochondrial membrane potential was also assessed. Moreover, putative protective drugs, namely the antioxidants N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC; 1 mM) and 100 μM tiron, the inhibitor of caspase-3/7, Ac-DEVD-CHO (100 μM), and a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (CHX; 10 nM), were tested to prevent DOX- or MTX-induced toxicity. The MTT reduction assay was also done in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells following exposure to 0.2 μM DOX or MTX. MTX was more toxic than DOX in both cytotoxicity assays and according to the morphological analyses. MTX also evoked a higher number of apoptotic nuclei than DOX. Both drugs, at the 0.13 μM concentration, caused mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization after a 48-h exposure. Regarding the putative neuroprotectors, 1 mM NAC was not able to prevent the cytotoxicity caused by either drug. Notwithstanding, 100 μM tiron was capable of partially reverting MTX-induced cytotoxicity in the NR uptake assay. One hundred μM Ac-DEVD-CHO and 10 nM cycloheximide (CHX) also partially prevented the toxicity induced by DOX in the NR uptake assay. MTX was more toxic than DOX in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, while MTX had similar toxicity in differentiated and undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells. In fact, MTX was the most neurotoxic drug tested and the mechanisms involved seem dissimilar among drugs. Thus, its toxicity mechanisms need to be further investigated as to determine the putative neurotoxicity for multiple sclerosis and cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Almeida
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Rita Pinho
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Verónica Correia
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Jorge Soares
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Maria de Lourdes Bastos
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Félix Carvalho
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - João Paulo Capela
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
- FP-ENAS (Unidade de Investigação UFP em Energia, Ambiente e Saúde), CEBIMED (Centro de Estudos em Biomedicina), Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Vera Marisa Costa
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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95
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Economic Burden of HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer Among Adult Premenopausal Women. Adv Ther 2018; 35:503-514. [PMID: 29556908 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-018-0689-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (mBC) have complex treatment needs and may receive sequential combinations of endocrine therapy (ET) or chemotherapy. This study describes healthcare utilization (HRU) and costs among premenopausal women with HR+/HER2- mBC in real-world settings from a payer's perspective. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, premenopausal women with HR+/HER2- mBC who received ET or chemotherapy were identified from the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan database (1 January 2006-31 December 2015). The main HRU outcomes per patient per 6 months (PPP6 M) were measured during each line of therapy and included number of days in inpatient (IP) and outpatient (OP) services. Healthcare costs per patient per month (PPPM) included medical and pharmacy costs. RESULTS A total of 3203 patients received first-line, 2194 received second-line, and 1242 received third-line therapy for mBC. Mean number of IP days PPP6 M were 1.6, 1.3, and 1.5 days in the first, second, and third lines, respectively. Mean number of days with OP services PPP6 M was 31.4, 30.9, and 23.3 in the first, second, and third lines, respectively. Among patients receiving ET, mean total healthcare costs were $6521, $4440, and $4555 PPPM in the first, second, and third line, respectively. Among patients receiving chemotherapy, mean total healthcare costs were $16,842, $12,868, and $16,129 PPPM in the first, second, and third line, respectively. These costs were mainly driven by treatment and OP costs. CONCLUSION Real-world HRU and costs among premenopausal women with HR+/HER2- mBC are extensive. Patients who received chemotherapy incurred approximately twice the costs of patients treated with ET. FUNDING Novartis Pharmaceutical Corp.
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96
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Olszewski AJ, Zullo AR, Nering CR, Huynh JP. Use of Charity Financial Assistance for Novel Oral Anticancer Agents. J Oncol Pract 2018; 14:e221-e228. [PMID: 29443649 PMCID: PMC5951296 DOI: 10.1200/jop.2017.027896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel oral targeted drugs are increasingly used for cancer therapy, but their extreme cost, often exceeding $10,000 per month, poses a significant barrier for patients and insurers alike, leading to the potential breakdown of traditional cost-sharing strategies. Insured patients' routine use of charity assistance to supplement their coverage would indicate a major deficiency in the current health care policies. By using data from a specialty pharmacy affiliated with an academic center (1,557 prescriptions dispensed between January 2014 and March 2017), we examined sources of payment for novel oral anticancer agents, distinguishing contributions from health insurance, patients, and from charitable assistance organizations. Thirty-six percent of 211 patients received charity assistance, including 47% of patients who were 65 years old or older. Charity sources covered 4% of total drug costs and 64% of out-of-pocket expenditures. The proportion of patients receiving financial assistance ranged from 7% when the upfront out-of-pocket requirement was less than $100 to 67% when it exceeded $1,000. When patients' out-of-pocket requirement exceeded $1,000, the median direct cash contribution paradoxically fell to $0 because of extensive use of charity support. Receipt of upfront charity assistance was associated with a longer time to filling the first prescription (median 9 v 7 days; P = .011) and with longer overall duration of therapy (median, 261 v 134 days; P = .014). These findings indicate that high out-of-pocket burden for expensive novel oral anticancer drugs leads to widespread use of charity support in the United States and that a significant financial barrier disparately affects older Medicare beneficiaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J. Olszewski
- Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI
| | - Andrew R. Zullo
- Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI
| | - Christopher R. Nering
- Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI
| | - Justin P. Huynh
- Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI
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97
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Abstract
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) included several key provisions aimed at lowering the out-of-pocket cost burden for patients. In this review, we summarize the effect of 3 provisions under Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial insurance, respectively: expansion of Medicaid eligibility, closing the doughnut hole for Medicare Part D beneficiaries, and requiring an annual limit on out-of-pocket spending for commercially insured patients. Through this review, we find early evidence that these 3 ACA provisions have reduced the out-of-pocket burden or increased access to health insurance for many patients. Proposals to repeal and replace the ACA should consider retaining some of these important features that limit financial exposure for patients. At the same time, we have highlighted some important gaps left by the ACA that could be targeted by replacement plans. Addressing these issues may help to increase access to care and affordability for patients with cancer and without.
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98
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Barrón F, Zatarain-Barrón ZL, Cardona AF, Arrieta O. Extending the curve: survival of EGFR-mutated lung cancer patients in the 21 st century. J Thorac Dis 2018; 10:1265-1268. [PMID: 29708166 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2018.03.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Feliciano Barrón
- Thoracic Oncology Unit, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INCan), México City, México
| | | | - Andrés F Cardona
- Clinical and Translational Oncology Group, Clínica del Country, Bogotá, Colombia.,Foundation for Clinical and Applied Cancer Research - FICMAC, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Oscar Arrieta
- Thoracic Oncology Unit, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INCan), México City, México
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99
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Wang H, Yin Y, Wang P, Xiong C, Huang L, Li S, Li X, Fu L. Current situation and future usage of anticancer drug databases. Apoptosis 2018; 21:778-94. [PMID: 27193464 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-016-1250-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a deadly disease with increasing incidence and mortality rates and affects the life quality of millions of people per year. The past 15 years have witnessed the rapid development of targeted therapy for cancer treatment, with numerous anticancer drugs, drug targets and related gene mutations been identified. The demand for better anticancer drugs and the advances in database technologies have propelled the development of databases related to anticancer drugs. These databases provide systematic collections of integrative information either directly on anticancer drugs or on a specific type of anticancer drugs with their own emphases on different aspects, such as drug-target interactions, the relationship between mutations in drug targets and drug resistance/sensitivity, drug-drug interactions, natural products with anticancer activity, anticancer peptides, synthetic lethality pairs and histone deacetylase inhibitors. We focus on a holistic view of the current situation and future usage of databases related to anticancer drugs and further discuss their strengths and weaknesses, in the hope of facilitating the discovery of new anticancer drugs with better clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhi Wang
- College of Mathematics, Tonghua Normal University, Tonghua, 134002, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Peiqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chenyu Xiong
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lingyu Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Sijia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xinyi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Leilei Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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100
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Shen C, Zhao B, Liu L, Shih YCT. Adherence to tyrosine kinase inhibitors among Medicare Part D beneficiaries with chronic myeloid leukemia. Cancer 2018; 124:364-373. [PMID: 28976559 PMCID: PMC5764158 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.31050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) improve the survival of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) dramatically; however, nonadherence to TKI therapy may lead to resistance to the therapy. TKIs are very expensive and are covered under Part D insurance for Medicare patients. To the authors' knowledge, the impact of low-income subsidy status and cost sharing on adherence among this group has not been well studied in the literature. METHODS Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry data linked with Medicare Part D data from the years 2007 through 2012 were used in the current study. The authors identified 836 patients with CML with Medicare Part D insurance coverage who were new TKI users. Treatment nonadherence was defined as a binary variable indicating the percentage of days covered was <80% during the 180-day period after the initiation of TKI therapy. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between out-of-pocket costs per 30-day drug supply, Medicare Part D plan characteristics, and treatment adherence while controlling for other patient characteristics. RESULTS Overall, 244 of the 836 patients with CML (29%) were nonadherent to targeted oral therapy during the 180 days after the initiation of treatment with TKIs. The multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that patients with heavily subsidized (odds ratio, 6.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.8-15.9) and moderately subsidized (odds ratio, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-6.5) Medicare Part D plans were much more likely to demonstrate nonadherence compared with patients without a subsidy. CONCLUSIONS The current population-based study found a significantly higher rate of nonadherence among heavily subsidized patients with substantially lower out-of-pocket costs, which suggests that future research is needed to help lower the nonadherence rate among these individuals. Cancer 2018;124:364-73. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Shen
- Department of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Bo Zhao
- Department of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Ya-Chen Tina Shih
- Department of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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