Factors Associated With Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Initiation and Adherence Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

European LeukemiaNet 2020 recommendations for treating chronic myeloid leukemia

The therapeutic landscape of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has profoundly changed over the past 7 years. Most patients with chronic phase (CP) now have a normal life expectancy. Another goal is achieving a stable deep molecular response (DMR) and discontinuing medication for treatment-free remission (TFR). The European LeukemiaNet convened an expert panel to critically evaluate and update the evidence to achieve these goals since its previous recommendations. First-line treatment is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI; imatinib brand or generic, dasatinib, nilotinib, and bosutinib are available first-line). Generic imatinib is the cost-effective initial treatment in CP. Various contraindications and side-effects of all TKIs should be considered. Patient risk status at diagnosis should be assessed with the new EUTOS long-term survival (ELTS)-score. Monitoring of response should be done by quantitative polymerase chain reaction whenever possible. A change of treatment is recommended when intolerance cannot be ameliorated or when molecular milestones are not reached. Greater than 10% BCR-ABL1 at 3 months indicates treatment failure when confirmed. Allogeneic transplantation continues to be a therapeutic option particularly for advanced phase CML. TKI treatment should be withheld during pregnancy. Treatment discontinuation may be considered in patients with durable DMR with the goal of achieving TFR.

Medication Adherence, Health Care Utilization, and Costs Among Patients Initiating Oral Oncolytics for Multiple Myeloma or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma

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..

Qualitative Study of Factors Affecting Patient, Caregiver and Physician Preferences for Treatment of Myeloma and Indolent Lymphoma

INTRODUCTION

The number of treatment options for myeloma and indolent lymphoma are expanding at an exponential rate, with few direct head-to-head comparisons on which to base efficacy measures. We sought to understand how patients, their caregivers and physicians weigh treatment characteristics in order to come to a decision on which treatment option to pursue.

METHODS

Patients, their caregivers and physicians were recruited and interviewed until data saturation was reached. A qualitative, thematic analysis was done to identify themes important to each stakeholder.

RESULTS

We found that, while all three groups valued efficacy the most, the consideration of other secondary characteristics of the treatment, such as cost, toxicity and logistical issues all differed subtly between the different groups. Patients valued minimising cost and toxicity, even at small trade-offs in efficacy. Caregivers and physicians valued efficacy foremost.

CONCLUSION

Acknowledging and managing these differences is paramount because they influence shared decision-making and may affect patient outcomes in the short term, as well as their more general well-being in the long term.

Patient and provider perspectives on delivery of oral cancer therapies

OBJECTIVE

The introduction of oral cancer therapies presents new challenges to delivery of quality cancer care. Little is known about how patients and providers address and overcome these challenges. We conducted a qualitative study exploring the range of patient and provider perspectives on oral cancer therapies.

METHODS

We conducted semi-structured interviews with patients and providers at a tertiary referral center and county safety-net hospital in Dallas, TX. Interviews probed perspectives on differences between parenteral chemotherapy and oral therapies, adherence, communication, and cost/insurance. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically using a deductively-driven coding scheme corresponding to the interview guide.

RESULTS

We conducted 22 patient (13 at tertiary referral center, 9 at safety-net hospital) and 10 provider (7 oncologists, 2 nurses, 1 pharmacist) interviews. Key themes from interviews included: (1) differences in parenteral chemotherapy vs. oral therapy; (2) adherence and dosing; and (3) experiences related to cost and communication.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly all providers described challenges engaging with and educating patients about oral cancer therapies. Despite our initial hypothesis, safety-net patients encountered few barriers accessing oral therapies compared to patients receiving care in the tertiary referral center.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Our findings will guide future interventions to monitor and support cancer patients receiving oral therapies.

High-Deductible Health Plans and Cancer Survivorship: What Is the Association With Access to Care and Hospital Emergency Department Use?

PURPOSE:

To examine the associations among high-deductible health plan (HDHP) enrollment, cancer survivorship, and access to care and utilization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The 2010 to 2017 National Health Interview Survey was used to identify privately insured adults ages 18 to 64 years (cancer survivors, n = 4,321; individuals without a cancer history, n = 95,316). We used multivariable logistic regressions to evaluate the associations among HDHP/health savings account (HSA) status, delayed/forgone care for financial reasons, and hospital emergency department (ED) visits among cancer survivors compared with individuals without a cancer history.

RESULTS:

Among cancer survivors, HDHPs with or without HSA (8.9% and 13.9%, respectively; both P < .05) were associated with more delayed/forgone care compared with low-deductible health plans (LDHPs) (7.9%). HSA enrollment was associated with less delayed/forgone care among HDHP cancer survivors ( P < .05). ED visits were similar by insurance type. Among individuals without a cancer history, HDHP with or without HSA (9.5% and 10.8%, respectively; both P < .05) were both associated with more delayed/forgone care compared with LDHPs (5.9%). HSA enrollment also was associated with less delayed/forgone care among HDHP enrollees without a cancer history. A small difference in ED visits was observed between HDHPs without HSA (15.3%) and LDHPs (14.1%; P < .05) or HDHPs with HSA (13.4%; P < .05) among individuals without a cancer history.

CONCLUSION:

HDHP enrollment and HSA status affect access to care and hospital ED visits similarly by cancer history. HDHP enrollment may serve as a barrier to access to care among cancer survivors, although HSA enrollment coupled with an HDHP may mitigate the impact on access. HDHPs and HSA status were not associated with ED visits among cancer survivors. Improvement to care coordination efforts may be needed to reduce ED visits among privately insured cancer survivors.

Adherence to Lenalidomide in Older Adults With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

INTRODUCTION

One of the most common orally administered antimyeloma agents, lenalidomide, has significantly improved outcomes in multiple myeloma, including in older patients. However, despite its utilization and cost, the rates and factors related to adherence to lenalidomide in older adults with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma remain unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data were collected from adults with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma over age 65 years being treated with lenalidomide therapy between the years 2007 and 2014 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked databases. Adherence was measured as medication possession ratio (MPR), which was defined as the ratio of the number of days the patient had pills in their possession to the number of days in the observation period in the first year after myeloma diagnosis. MPR of < 90% was considered poor adherence.

RESULTS

A total of 793 patients were included in the analysis. The mean MPR in our cohort was 89.5 ± 9.3%. Overall, 38% (n = 302) of the patients were considered to have poor adherence. Factors associated with poor adherence included increasing age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.03 per year; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.05; P = .024), black race (aOR = 1.72; 95% CI, 1.08-2.73; P = .022), and polypharmacy (aOR = 1.04 per medication; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08; P = .008).

CONCLUSION

Over a third of older adults with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma were considered to have poor adherence to lenalidomide, using the MPR as a surrogate for adherence. This highlights the need to further understand factors and devise strategies to support adherence in this patient cohort.

Clinical Importance of Drug Adherence during Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia in Chronic Phase

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm constituting approximately 15% of newly diagnosed leukemia in adult patients. Development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have dramatically improved outcomes in patients with chronic CML in chronic phase. However, adverse drug events (ADEs) associated with TKI therapy have influenced drug adherence, resulting in adverse clinical outcomes and a decline in the quality of life (QoL). In this study, we carried out a unique questionnaire survey to evaluate ADEs, which comprised 14 adverse events. We compared drug adherence rates between patients using imatinib and those who switched from imatinib to nilotinib, a second-generation TKI. Following the switch, the total number of ADEs decreased considerably in most cases. Simultaneously, better QoL was observed in the nilotinib group than in the imatinib group. Drug adherence was measured using Morisky’s 9-item Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). MMAS increased significantly after switching to nilotinib in all cases. Drug adherence is a critical factor for achieving molecular response in patients with CML. In fact, our results showed a strong inverse correlation between clinical outcome (international scale (IS)) and adherence (MMAS), with a stronger tendency in the nilotinib group than in the imatinib group. In conclusion, low occurrence of ADEs induced a high level of QoL and a good clinical response with second-generation TKI nilotinib treatment.

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Initiation, Cost Sharing, and Health Care Utilization in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Retrospective Claims-Based Study

BACKGROUND

For newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, early access to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is a consistent predictor of adherence and optimal response. The expense of targeted therapies, however, may result in high out-of-pocket costs for initiating therapy that could be a barrier to starting treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between TKI out-of-pocket costs, initiation, and health care utilization and costs among patients who initiated TKI within 12 months after initial CML diagnosis.

METHODS

Individuals aged 18-64 years with an initial diagnosis of CML were identified in the IBM MarketScan Commercial Database between April 11, 2011, and December 31, 2014. The association between cost sharing and TKI initiation was evaluated using a multivariable logistic regression model applied to patients receiving therapy within a month of diagnosis and within 1-12 months after diagnosis. Health care utilization was compared using negative binomial regression models. Health care cost differences between the 2 patient groups were estimated using generalized linear models. All models were controlled for potential confounding factors.

RESULTS

The study sample consisted of 477 patients, with 397 (83.2%) patients initiating TKI within the first month of CML diagnosis and 80 (16.8%) after the first month. Out-of-pocket costs for the initial 30-day supply of TKI medications were not found to be a significant predictor of TKI initiation time. Patients initiating therapy within a month were less likely to have all-cause hospitalizations (IRR = 0.35; P = 0.02) or CML-specific hospitalizations (IRR = 0.27; P < 0.01). Over the 12-month follow-up period, they incurred $9,923 more in TKI pharmacy costs (P < 0.05), but patients initiating therapy after the first month of diagnosis incurred $7,582 more in medical costs, $218 more in non-TKI pharmacy costs, and $2,680 more in total health care costs (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with TKI initiation within the first month of diagnosis had higher TKI pharmacy costs that were partially offset by lower medical and non-TKI pharmacy costs, resulting in lower overall total health care costs. Findings suggest that earlier TKI initiation may reduce the risks of hospitalizations, which could result in potential medical cost savings in the first 12 months of treatment.

DISCLOSURES

No outside funding supported this study. The authors have no relationships or financial interests to report with any entity that would pose a conflict of interest with the subject matter of this article. A poster presentation of the study was made at the 11th American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Conference on The Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved, on November 2-5, 2018, in New Orleans, LA.

A Comprehensive Review of Methods to Measure Oral Oncolytic Dose Intensity Using Retrospective Data

BACKGROUND

Understanding the real-world use of oral oncolytics is essential to assess drug effectiveness. Retrospective analyses using medical and pharmacy claims data allow observation of drug use patterns and health outcomes. However, studies of medication adherence to oral oncolytics may not be sufficient in characterizing exposure because they typically measure refill frequency, not the administered dose or dose changes. Patients who appear fully adherent by traditional measures may be receiving different doses and experiencing differing effectiveness. Relative dose intensity (RDI) is a measure that has been used for intravenous drugs to capture the amount of a particular chemotherapeutic agent administered per unit of time (dose intensity), expressed as the fraction of the amount recommended in evidence-based guidelines. Such a measure would be useful for real-world studies of comparative effectiveness to characterize patient exposure to oral oncolytics.

OBJECTIVE

To identify studies that used administrative claims data to measure real-world oral oncolytic dose intensity, RDI, or similar constructs.

METHODS

Two health sciences librarians conducted a literature search (PubMed, January 1, 1809-February 6, 2018) including terms in each of the following concept areas: oncology drugs, dosage, and retrospective data sources. At least 2 reviewers scanned each title and abstract of publications retrieved from PubMed. Abstracts that indicated the study reported dose or related concepts and oral oncolytics using retrospective data sources were marked for full-text review. During full-text review, papers were excluded if they did not study oral oncolytics (i.e., only described intravenous chemotherapy); if they did not report drug dosage; or if the study was not retrospective. Resulting studies were included for full-text data extraction.

RESULTS

Of the 1,640 publications returned from the search, 41 were marked for full-text review. Full-text review established that 17 studies addressed a concept related to dose of oral oncolytics using retrospective data. Twenty-four studies were excluded: 11 did not measure dose; 9 did not study oral oncolytics; and 4 were not retrospective studies. Among the 17 articles marked for extraction, 5 articles reported dose intensity or RDI using medical records or electronic health record (EHR) data.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals not only the need for a claims-based measure of dose intensity for oral oncolytics, but also provides a basis for the development of such a measure based on previous EHR-based studies. While several claims data studies have characterized oral oncolytic dosing and duration, we found that no studies combined these dimensions into a single measure such as dose intensity. Methods using EHR data may be translatable to a claims data study. Future research is needed to develop and validate such measures.

DISCLOSURES

Novartis Pharmaceuticals provided funding for this study and is a manufacturer of oral onalytics, which is under study in this article. Arcona and Zacker are employees of Novartis. Slejko reports grants from PhRMA, PhRMA Foundation, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals and consulting fees from Pfizer, outside the submitted work. Stuart reports consulting fees from the University of Maryland during the study. The other authors have nothing to disclose. The preliminary findings of this study were presented in a poster at AMCP Nexus 2018, October 22-25, 2018, in Orlando, FL.

Imatinib is still recommended for frontline therapy for CML

This article has a companion Counterpoint by Cortes.

Initiation of generic imatinib may improve medication adherence for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

PURPOSE

To compare adherence to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) between patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who initiated branded or generic imatinib.

METHODS

We used MarketScan commercial claims data (January 2011-June 2018) to identify patients with CML who newly initiated branded imatinib before 1 August 2015 or generic imatinib on or after 2 February 2016, and were continuously enrolled in health plans for 6 months before through 6 months following their initial fill. After inverse probability of treatment weighting, we compared adherence (proportion of days covered [PDC]) and persistence (no gaps ≥30 and ≥60 consecutive days in therapy) to TKI therapy.

RESULTS

Patients initiating generic imatinib consistently had higher average PDC per month and over the 6-month follow-up period than initiators of branded imatinib. Average 6-month PDC was 92% (95%CI:89%-94%) for generic initiators and 85% (95%CI:83%-86%) for brand initiators. Compared with branded imatinib initiators, a larger proportion of generic imatinib initiators were adherent and persistent to TKI therapy (PDC ≥ 90%:78% versus 64%; no≥60-day gap:94% versus 86%).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients initiating generic imatinib achieved clinically significant improvements in adherence to TKI therapy relative to branded drug users, presumably due to lower out-of-pocket costs. Given the importance of optimal adherence in CML, considering barriers to adherence (eg, patient-cost sharing and health benefit design) when selecting initial treatment may improve long-term medication adherence. Pharmacoepidemiologic studies should consider how best to account for expected cost-sharing and its impact on adherence and subsequent clinical outcomes.

Temporary Stoppages and Burden of Treatment in Patients With Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To examine the effect of burden of treatment and multimorbidity on the relationship between baseline characteristics and oral oncolytic agent (OOA) temporary stoppages.

SAMPLE & SETTING

272 patients newly prescribed OOAs at six National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers.

METHODS & VARIABLES

Patients were randomly assigned to an adherence and symptom management group or a usual care/control group. Temporary OOA stoppages, symptom interference, OOA regimen complexity, and multimorbidities were explored. Data were collected at four-week intervals for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Burden of treatment variables and multimorbidity had no significant effect on OOA temporary stoppages. Women and those prescribed kinase inhibitors were significantly more likely to experience a temporary stoppage.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Oncology nurses are in a crucial position to educate patients on self-management of OOAs and symptoms. Nurses should be aware of patients who may be more susceptible to severe symptoms, including those with multimorbidities. Future research is needed to better understand OOA stoppages and factors associated with preventing stoppages.

The impact of copay assistance on patient out-of-pocket costs and treatment rates with ALK inhibitors

INTRODUCTION

The patient cost burden of oral anticancer medicines has been associated with prescription abandonment, delayed treatment initiation, and poorer health outcomes in the US. Since 2011, several small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with rearrangement of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. The objective of this study was to measure the impact of copay assistance on patient cost sharing and treatment patterns in patients prescribed oral ALK inhibitors (ALKi's).

METHODS

Patterns of claims approval/rejection and payment/reversal, out-of-pocket (OOP) costs, and treatment persistence were reported for patients identified in the IQVIA Formulary Impact Analyzer database from January 2013 to August 2017 linked to a medical claims database. The primary study cohorts were patients with copay assistance, including manufacturer's copay cards, other discount cards, or free-trial vouchers, on the index ALKi claim, and patients without copay assistance at any time during the follow-up period.

RESULTS

In total, 3,143 patients were included in analyses related to claim patterns, and 1,685 patients were included in analyses related to treatment persistence. Copay assistance decreased the OOP cost for the first approved ALKi by $1,930, on average. Patients with copay assistance picked up ALKi prescriptions from the pharmacy sooner than patients without copay assistance (2.6 days vs 25.7 days). In adjusted analyses, patients with copay assistance had 88.2% lower risk of abandoning their first approved prescription and 24.3% lower risk of discontinuing treatment with the first observed ALKi (all p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Copay assistance reduced the patient cost burden for ALKi's and was associated with patients picking up their ALKi prescriptions, beginning ALKi treatment sooner, and remaining on treatment.

Financial toxicity in gynecologic oncology

OBJECTIVES

Financial toxicity is increasingly recognized as an adverse outcome of cancer treatment. Our objective was to measure financial toxicity among gynecologic oncology patients and its association with demographic and disease-related characteristics; self-reported overall health; and cost-coping strategies.

METHODS

Follow-up patients at a gynecologic oncology practice completed a survey including the COmprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) tool and a self-reported overall health assessment, the EQ-VAS. We abstracted disease and treatment characteristics from medical records. We dichotomized COST scores into low and high financial toxicity and assessed the correlation (r) between COST scores and self-reported health. We calculated risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations of demographic and disease-related characteristics with high financial toxicity, as well as the associations between high financial toxicity and cost-coping strategies.

RESULTS

Among 240 respondents, median COST score was 29. Greater financial toxicity was correlated with worse self-reported health (r = 0.47; p < 0.001). In the crude analysis, Black or Hispanic race/ethnicity, government-sponsored health insurance, lower income, unemployment, cervical cancer and treatment with chemotherapy were associated with high financial toxicity. In the multivariable analysis, only government-sponsored health insurance, lower income, and treatment with chemotherapy were significantly associated with high financial toxicity. High financial toxicity was significantly associated with all cost-coping strategies, including delaying or avoiding care (RR: 7.3; 95% CI: 2.8-19.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Among highly-insured gynecologic oncology patients, many respondents reported high levels of financial toxicity. High financial toxicity was significantly associated with worse self-reported overall health and cost-coping strategies, including delaying or avoiding care.

Treatment-Free Remission in CML: the US Perspective

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have near-normal life expectancy. However, lifelong TKI therapy is associated with reduced quality of life and significant economic burden. Currently, the management of CML is shifting from continuous TKI therapy towards the goal of TKI cessation which is discussed in this review.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several studies in the last decade have demonstrated the feasibility and safety of TKI discontinuation in selected patients with CML who achieve deep and sustained molecular response with TKI. This has moved prime-time into clinical practice although open questions remain in terms of understanding the disease biology that leads to successful TKI cessation in some patients while not in others. Cessation of TKI for CML patients is a feasible approach. Ongoing research aims to find out optimal strategies to sustain ongoing treatment-free remission (TFR) and increase the number of patients who achieve TFR.

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Chronic-Phase CML: Strategies for Frontline Decision-making

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Over the past two decades, the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has transformed the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). With four agents currently approved for frontline use in chronic-phase (CP) disease, it follows that treatment decision-making has been rendered more challenging. Here we will review recent advances that help inform the selection of a first-line TKI.

RECENT FINDINGS

Extended follow-up of the seminal CML trials has demonstrated the long-term efficacy of TKIs, while also highlighting significant differences in their respective toxicity profiles and potency. Dasatinib and nilotinib generate deeper molecular responses than imatinib, particularly among patients with higher risk disease, but this has not translated into a significant survival advantage. Similar results have been obtained at 1 year with bosutinib; its efficacy and toxicity were well balanced at a dose of 400 mg daily, prompting its recent approval for this indication. Lastly, multiple studies have demonstrated that TKIs can be safely discontinued in select individuals who have maintained deep responses for extended periods, establishing treatment-free remission as a novel goal in CP CML. The careful consideration of parameters such as disease risk, the potency, and toxicity profile of each TKI, as well as each patient's unique comorbidities and preferences, enables truly individualized therapeutic decision-making in CP CML, with the goal of ensuring that a high quality of life accompanies the survival advantage conferred by these agents.

Implementing value assessment in oncology practice: A single-center experience

Cancer treatment costs in the United States are rising. Evidence suggests that increased costs do not always correlate with improved outcomes. Several organizations have developed tools and frameworks to assess cancer treatment value; however, many centers have reported difficulty in implementing these tools and effectively incorporating value-based decision making into clinical practice. After evaluating existing frameworks, the Carbone Cancer Center at UW Health set out to create a value-based tool that could be used to inform the decisions of clinicians and patients. This tool was piloted in metastatic or advanced non-small cell lung cancer, specifically in the second-line setting to assess the value of immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab, atezolizumab, and pembrolizumab. The results of the pilot suggest that atezolizumab is the best value of the three agents in this patient population. Challenges and opportunities for improvement that were identified during the pilot process have helped refine the tool for use in a variety of disease states within oncology.

Using Group-based Trajectory Models and Propensity Score Weighting to Detect Heterogeneous Treatment Effects: The Case Study of Generic Hormonal Therapy for Women With Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

We extend an interrupted time series study design to identify heterogenous treatment effects using group-based trajectory models (GBTMs) to identify groups before a new policy and then examine if the effects of the policy has consistent impacts across groups using propensity score weighting to balance individuals within trajectory groups who are and are not exposed to the policy change. We explore this by examining how adherence to endocrine therapy (ET) for women with breast cancer was impacted by reducing copayments for medications by the introduction of generic ETs among women who do not receive a subsidy (the "treatment" group) to those that do receive a subsidy and are not exposed to any changes in copayments (the "control" group).

METHODS

We examined monthly adherence to ET using the proportion of days covered for women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2008 and 2009 using SEER-Medicare data. To account for baseline trends, we characterize adherence for 1 year before generic approval of ET using GBTMs, within each groups we generate inverse probability treatment weights of not receiving a subsidy. We compared adherence after generic entry within each GBTM using a modified Poisson model.

RESULTS

GBTMs for adherence in the 1-year pregeneric identified 6 groups. When comparing patients who did and did not receive a subsidy we found no overall effect of generic introduction. However, 1 of the 6 identified adherence groups postgeneric adherence increased [the "consistently low" (risk ratio=1.91; 95% confidence interval=1.34-2.72)].

CONCLUSIONS

This study describes a new approach to identify heterogenous effects when using an interrupted time series research design.

Identifying Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Nonadherence in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Subanalysis of TAKE-IT Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

There are inconsistencies in reports on correlates for nonadherence (NA) to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The diagnostic accuracy of subjective adherence measures using electronic monitoring (EM) as the reference standard is yet to be determined. This study aimed to evaluate correlates of TKI NA using EM and test the diagnostic accuracy of subjective adherence measures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CML patients receiving a TKI for any duration were enrolled at 4 hematology institutes, and adherence was measured for 4 months. EM adherence was the reference adherence measure, expressed as the percentage of days with the drug taken as prescribed. Subjective adherence was measured using the Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medications Scale (BAASIS) self-report and clinician-reported visual analog scale (VAS) at 2 time points. Baseline theory-derived correlates of NA were identified using single and multiple regression analysis. The diagnostic accuracy of BAASIS and clinician-reported VAS was tested against an exploratory EM NA cutoff of < 95%.

RESULTS

The median EM adherence (n = 55) was 97.5% (range, 48-100%), while the 25th percentile was 92.1%. Lack of membership in a CML patient support group, living alone, and third-line treatment were associated with EM NA on multiple regression analysis. The BAASIS self-report (n = 94) had a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 71% for diagnosing NA, while clinician-reported VAS (n = 89) had a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 42%.

CONCLUSION

A quarter of patients had potentially clinically meaningful NA. These NA correlates and the BAASIS provide a basis for identifying nonadherent patients who can be targeted by interventions.

Transfusion dependence, use of hospice services, and quality of end-of-life care in leukemia

Hospice provides high-quality end-of-life care, but patients with leukemias use hospice services less frequently than those with solid tumors. Transfusion dependence (TD) may hinder or delay enrollment, because hospice organizations typically disallow transfusions. We examined the association between TD and end-of-life outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries with leukemia. From the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database, we selected beneficiaries with acute and chronic leukemias who died in 2001-2011. We defined TD as ≥2 transfusions within 30 days before death or hospice enrollment. End points included hospice enrollment and length of stay, reporting relative risk (RR) adjusted for key covariates. Among 21 033 patients with a median age of 79 years, 20% were transfusion dependent before death/hospice enrollment. Use of hospice increased from 35% in 2001 to 49% in 2011. Median time on hospice was 9 days and was shorter for transfusion-dependent patients (6 vs 11 days; P < .001). Adjusting for baseline characteristics, TD was associated with a higher use of hospice services (RR, 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.12) but also with 51% shorter hospice length of stay (RR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.44-0.54). Hospice enrollees had a lower likelihood of inpatient death and chemotherapy use and lower median Medicare spending at end-of-life, regardless of TD status. In conclusion, relatively increased hospice use combined with a markedly shorter length of stay among transfusion-dependent patients suggests that they have a high and incompletely met need for hospice services and that they experience a barrier to timely referral. Policy solutions supporting palliative transfusions may maximize the benefits of hospice for leukemia patients.

Out-of-Pocket and Health Care Spending Changes for Patients Using Orally Administered Anticancer Therapy After Adoption of State Parity Laws

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.

Patients' and hematologists' concerns regarding tyrosine kinase-inhibitor therapy in chronic myeloid leukemia

PURPOSE

To explore patients' and hematologists' concerns regarding tyrosine kinaseinhibitor (TKI)-therapy and identify variables associated these concerns. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire including 16 common issues related to TKI-therapy was distributed to adults with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) receiving TKIs and hematologists treating CML patients and answered anonymously.

RESULTS

Data from 1518 patient respondents receiving TKI-therapy ≥ 3 months were analyzed. 939 (62%) were male. Median age was 42 years. 72% were receiving imatinib. Median TKI-therapy duration was 27 months. Data from 259 hematologist respondents were analyzable. 154 (59%) treated > 5 persons with CML per month. Median number of concerns was 5 (range 0-16) for both patients and hematologists. The top five issues for both cohorts were new drug development, stopping TKI-therapy, TKI-reimbursement policies, TKI-related adverse effects and long-term efficacy of TKIs. 12 issues attracted proportionally discordant attention between patients and hematologists. Patients were more concerned with TKI-reimbursement policies, price reduction of TKIs, TKI-related adverse effects, restrictions to daily life, CML knowledge and interpretation of laboratory data, whereas hematologists were more concerned with stopping TKI-therapy, TKI choice, monitoring, TKI dose-adjustment, quality of generics and switching between branded and generic TKIs. In multivariate analyses female sex [OR = 1.4 (1.1-1.7); p = 0.008], education level ≥ bachelor e[OR = 1.8 (1.4-2.2); p < 0.001], TKI-therapy duration 36-< 60 months [OR = 1.4 (1.0-1.9); p = 0.049] and having adverse impact on daily life and work [OR = 1.5 (1.2-1.8]; p = 0.001] were associated with greater numbers of patients' concerns.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggested hematologists need to be aware of CML patients' concerns to improve their quality-of-life and patient-hematologist communication.

Out-of-Pocket Spending Under the Affordable Care Act for Patients With Cancer

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.

How to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in older adults

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a myeloproliferative neoplasm defined by the t(9;22)(q34;q11) chromosomal translocation, primarily affects older adults. Historically, effective treatment options were not available for older CML patients ineligible for curative allogeneic stem cell transplant, and the disease was therefore usually fatal within several years of diagnosis. The development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that effectively target the constitutively active mutant tyrosine kinase in CML has dramatically improved outcomes for all patients with CML, including older patients. While older patients were underrepresented in prospective trials, TKI therapy can be successfully administered to older adults with CML with excellent efficacy and proven tolerability. TKI selection and monitoring for adverse events should be tailored based on co-morbidities. As with younger patients, life expectancy of older adults with CML now approaches that of age-matched controls. Here we review guidelines for management of older adults with CML.

Association of Patient Out-of-Pocket Costs With Prescription Abandonment and Delay in Fills of Novel Oral Anticancer Agents

Purpose

The number of novel oral anticancer agents is increasing, but financial barriers may limit access. We examined associations between out-of-pocket (OOP) costs and reduced and/or delayed treatment initiation.

Methods

This retrospective claims-based study used 2014 to 2015 data from a large, proprietary, integrated database and included Medicare and commercial insurance enrollees with a new, adjudicated prescription for any of 38 oral anticancer agents. We examined rates of claim reversal (failure to purchase approved prescription), delayed initiation (reversal with subsequent fill of same agent within 90 days after adjudication), and abandonment (reversal with no fill of same agent within 90 days after adjudication) for the index oral anticancer agent. We also examined whether patients filled any alternate oral, injectable, or infusible anticancer agent within 90 days. Logistic regressions controlled for sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics to estimate adjusted rates.

Results

Among the final sample (N = 38,111), risk-adjusted rates of claim reversal ranged from 13% to 67%, increasing with higher OOP costs. Although the abandonment rate was 18% overall, risk-adjusted rates were higher in greater OOP cost categories (10.0% for ≤ $10 group v 13.5% for $50.01 to $100 group, 31.7% for $100.01 to $500 group, 41.0% for $500.01 to $2,000 group, and 49.4% for > $2,000 group; P < .001 compared with ≤ $10 group). Rates remained similar after accounting for use of alternate oral, injectable, or infusible anticancer agents. Delayed initiation was also more frequent for higher OOP cost categories (3% in ≤ $10 group v 18% in > $2,000 group; P < .001). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses by insurance type, pharmacy type, sex, and indication identified similar associations.

Conclusion

Higher OOP costs were associated with higher rates of oral prescription abandonment and delayed initiation across cancers. Fiscally sustainable strategies are needed to improve patient access to cancer medications.

Adherence to tyrosine kinase inhibitors among Medicare Part D beneficiaries with chronic myeloid leukemia

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.

Adherence and Coping Strategies in Outpatients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Receiving Oral Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To assess adherence and coping strategies in outpatients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) on oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).
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DESIGN

Prospective, descriptive.
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SETTING

An interdisciplinary oncology outpatient clinic in Germany.
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SAMPLE

35 outpatients with CML on oral TKIs.
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METHODS

Adherence and coping strategies were assessed with questionnaires. Clinical data were extracted from medical charts.
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MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

Adherence rates, main coping strategies, and frequency and contents of single coping strategies.
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FINDINGS

18 patients showed adherence according to the applied screening instrument. Main coping strategies were spirituality and search for meaning. The two single items most frequently specified were adhering to medical instructions and trusting in the medical personnel involved.
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CONCLUSIONS

The low adherence rate of 51% most likely resulted from using the Basel Assessment of Adherence Scale as the questionnaire of choice. The relevance of spirituality and search for meaning as main coping strategies has not been shown previously in outpatients with CML. Most patients wish to obey medical instructions accurately and put trust in their oncologists; this introduces a resource that should gain relevance considering the increasing number of oral anticancer drugs.
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IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Nurses are encouraged to routinely assess adherence and spiritual needs in outpatients with CML. Spirituality and search for meaning represent pivotal coping strategies in this group, which has an excellent prognosis. Oncology nurses may help provide tailored support, thereby ameliorating care for these patients.

Subsidies for Oral Chemotherapy and Use of Immunomodulatory Drugs Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Myeloma

Purpose The low-income subsidy (LIS) substantially lowers out-of-pocket costs for qualifying Medicare Part D beneficiaries who receive orally administered chemotherapy. We examined the association of LIS with the use of novel oral immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs; lenalidomide and thalidomide) among beneficiaries with myeloma, who can receive either orally administered or parenteral (bortezomib-based) therapy. Methods Using SEER-Medicare data, we identified Part D beneficiaries diagnosed with myeloma in 2007 to 2011. In multivariable models adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, we analyzed associations between the LIS and use of IMiD-based therapy, delays between IMiD refills, and select health outcomes during the first year of therapy. Results Among 3,038 beneficiaries, 41% received first-line IMiDs. Median out-of-pocket cost for the first IMiD prescription was $3,178 for LIS nonrecipients and $3 for LIS recipients, whereas the respective median costs for the first year of therapy were $5,623 and $6, respectively. Receipt of the LIS was associated with a 32% higher (95% CI, 16% to 47%) probability of receiving IMiDs among beneficiaries age 75 to 84 years and a significantly lower risk of delays between refills in all age groups (adjusted relative risk, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.32 to 0.92). Duration of therapy did not significantly differ between LIS recipients and nonrecipients (median, 7.6 months). Patients treated with IMiDs had significantly fewer emergency department visits and hospitalizations compared with patients receiving bortezomib (without IMiDs), but 1-year overall survival and cumulative Medicare costs were similar. Conclusion Medicare beneficiaries with myeloma who do not receive LISs face a substantial financial barrier to accessing orally administered anticancer therapy, warranting urgent attention from policymakers. Limiting out-of-pocket costs for expensive anticancer drugs like the IMiDs may improve access to oral therapy for patients with myeloma.

Trends in Financial Access to Prescription Drugs Among Cancer Survivors

Little is known about the competing effects of increasing prescription drug costs and expansions in insurance coverage on prescription drug access and whether trends vary for adults with and without a cancer history. Using the 2010-2015 National Health Interview Survey, we examined trends in limited prescription drug access, operationalized as forgoing needed prescription drugs because of cost. The percentages of adults age 18 to 64 years with limited prescription drug access decreased over time: predicted margins from multivariable logistic regression models were 13.8% in 2010 vs 8.6% in 2015 for cancer survivors and 11.0% vs 6.8% for adults without a cancer history (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] for trend = 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.88 to 0.90). Access changed little for adults age 65 years and older. Among adults age 18 to 64 years, cancer survivors were more likely than those without a cancer history to report limited access to any prescription drug in all years (aOR from multivariable logistic regression model = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.31 to 1.61). However, trends did not differ by cancer history. Our findings suggest that expansions in health insurance coverage mitigated the effects of growing prescription drug costs to some extent for many individuals with and without a history of cancer.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia-the Promise of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Discontinuation

Some believe that tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy is as close to perfect as it gets in oncologic therapy. Patients diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) are treated with a daily oral therapy, through which most achieve remission. TKI therapy is not associated with classic chemotherapy side effects, and most patients are able to resume their normal activities of daily living. Moreover, recent data has demonstrated that CML does not affect the life expectancy of patients whose disease is well controlled with a TKI. However, TKI therapy is actually not that perfect. Patients need to stay on therapy forever. They have to remember to take their medications daily. TKIs are expensive, and the financial burden to patient and society cannot be overstated. Most patients' health-related quality of life is affected; common side effects include fatigue, muscle cramps, pain, edema, skin problems, and gastrointestinal symptoms. In addition, concerns about long-term side effects remain. Recently several studies have shown the feasibility and safety of discontinuation in a select group of patients. Herein, we will review the currently available data on stopping TKIs in CML.

Association between insurance status at diagnosis and overall survival in chronic myeloid leukemia: A population-based study

BACKGROUND

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) can be treated effectively with tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy directed at BCR-ABL, but access to care, medication cost, and adherence may be barriers to treatment. This study was designed to determine whether the insurance status at diagnosis influences CML patient outcomes.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to identify 5784 patients, aged 15 years or older, who were diagnosed with CML between 2007 and 2012 and whose insurance status was documented at diagnosis. The primary outcome was 5-year overall survival (OS). Covariates of interest included the age at diagnosis, race, ethnicity, sex, county-level socioeconomic status, and marital status. OS was evaluated with a log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier estimates.

RESULTS

Among patients aged 15 to 64 years, insurance status was associated with OS (P < .001): being uninsured or having Medicaid was associated with worse 5-year OS in comparison with being insured (uninsured patients, 72.7%; Medicaid patients, 73.1%; insured patients, 86.6%). For patients who were 65 years old or older, insurance had less of an impact on OS (P = .07), with similar 5-year OS rates for patients with Medicaid and those with other insurance (40.2% vs 43.4%). In a multivariate analysis of patients aged 15 to 64 years, both uninsured patients (hazard ratio [HR], 1.93; P < .001) and Medicaid patients (HR, 1.83; P < .001) had an increased hazard of death in comparison with insured patients; patients younger than 40 years, female patients, and married patients also had a lower hazard of death.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that CML patients under the age of 65 years who are uninsured or have Medicaid have significantly worse survival than patients with other insurance coverage. Cancer 2017;123:2561-69. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Financial Burden for Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Enrolled in Medicare Part D Taking Targeted Oral Anticancer Medications

PURPOSE

The number of targeted oral anticancer medications (TOAMs) has grown rapidly in the past decade. The high cost of TOAMs raises concerns about the financial aspect of treatment, especially for patients enrolled in Medicare Part D plans because of the coverage gap.

METHODS

We identified patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who were new TOAM users from the SEER registry data linked with Medicare Part D data, from years 2007 to 2012. We followed these patients throughout the calendar year when they started taking the TOAMs and examined their out-of-pocket (OOP) payments and gross drug costs, taking into account their benefit phase, plan type, and cost share group.

RESULTS

We found that 726 (81%) of the 898 patients with CML who received TOAMs had reached the catastrophic phase of their Medicare Part D benefit within the year of medication initiation, with a large majority of patients reaching this phase in less than a month. Patients without subsidies showed a clear pattern of a spike in OOP payments when they began treatment with TOAMs. The OOP payment for patients with subsidies was substantially lower. The monthly gross drug costs were similar between patients with and without subsidies.

CONCLUSION

Patients experience quick entry and exit from the coverage gap (also called the donut hole) as a result of the high price of TOAMs. Closing the donut hole will provide financial relief during the initial month(s) of treatment but will not completely eliminate the financial burden.