Drug costs in the management of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in Canada

Outcomes following radical prostatectomy or external beam radiation for veterans with Gleason 9 and 10 prostate cancer

Background

The optimal upfront treatment modality for patients with nonmetastatic Gleason Score 9 and 10 prostate cancer (GS 9–10 PCa) is unknown.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) with GS 9–10 PCa treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) or external beam radiation therapy with androgen deprivation therapy (EBRT+ADT) from 1/2000 to 12/2010. Outcomes included overall survival (OS), distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS), and salvage/adjuvant therapy‐free survival (SAFS), as assessed by Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results

We identified 1220 veterans with GS 9–10 PCa; 335 were treated with RP, and 885 were treated with EBRT+ADT. With a median follow‐up of 9.9 years, propensity score‐matched analyses demonstrated that RP had superior 10‐year OS (70.8% [RP] vs. 61.2% [EBRT+ADT], p < 0.001), 10‐year DMFS rates were similar between RP (76.7%) and EBRT+ADT (81.0%), and 10‐year SAFS rates were lower for RP vs EBRT + ADT (35.2% [RP] vs. 75.2% [EBRT+ADT], p < 0.001). The receipt of salvage ADT was higher with upfront RP (51.9% vs. 26.1%, p < 0.001), despite receipt of adjuvant/salvage EBRT in 41.8% of RP patients. Among patients treated with RP, there were no differences in outcomes by race. However, higher survival rates were noted among Black patients treated with EBRT+ADT compared with White patients.

Conclusions

This analysis demonstrated higher 10‐year OS rates among men treated with upfront RP versus EBRT+ADT, though missing confounders and similar DMFS rates suggest the long‐term cause‐specific OS rates may be similar. We also highlight real‐world outcomes of a diverse patient population in the VHA and improved outcomes for Black patients receiving EBRT+ADT.

A pharmacoeconomic evaluation of pharmaceutical treatment options for prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION

Prostate cancer is one of the most common neoplasms in men. For many years the mainstay of treatment was androgen deprivation therapy, but during last decade many novel agents have emerged, accompanied by increased costs for healthcare systems.

AREAS COVERED

In this literature review, the authors provide a pharmacoeconomic review of several pharmaceutical agents used in several disease stages, by summarizing evidence from cost-analysis, cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, cost-saving, cost-benefit and budgetary impact analysis studies.

EXPERT OPINION

The rapid development of therapeutic agents for prostate cancer has put a great budgetary burden on healthcare systems, since these drugs are prolonging survival and improving quality of life . Since existing data are now mature enough from a number of clinical trials with long-term follow-up, policy makers should propose not only the most clinically effective but also the most cost-effective agents, in order for every patient to gain access at least to some of these therapies. Docetaxel addition seems to be a cost-effective option, when compared to both abiraterone and enzalutamide (due to costs related to acquisition and side effects). Cabazitaxel is a strong candidate after docetaxel failure, while both denosumab and bisphosphonates are cost-effective for reducing skeletal-related events in metastatic disease.

Treatment-Related Healthcare Costs of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer in Germany: A Claims Data Study

PURPOSE

Treatments for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) have expanded rapidly. They include the chemotherapies docetaxel and cabazitaxel, hormonal drugs abiraterone and enzalutamide, and best supportive care (BSC). Cabazitaxel has proven to be the last life-prolonging option, associated with a significant risk of serious adverse events. Given the lack of real-world evidence, we aimed to compare healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and costs in patients with mCRPC treated with cabazitaxel, docetaxel, abiraterone, enzalutamide, and BSC.

METHODS

We used 2014-2017 claims data from a large German statutory health insurance fund, the Techniker Krankenkasse, to identify patients with mCRPC. Patient allocation to individual therapy regimens was based on clinical knowledge and included therapy cycles, duration of therapy, and continuous treatment. The study period lasted from the first claim until death, the end of data availability, a drug switch, or discontinuation of therapy, whichever came first. Multivariate regression models were used to compare monthly all-cause and mCRPC-related HRU and costs across cohorts by adjusting for baseline covariates (including age and comorbidities).

RESULTS

The 3944 identified patients with mCRPC initiated treatment with cabazitaxel (n = 240), docetaxel (n = 539), abiraterone (n = 486), enzalutamide (n = 351), or BSC (n = 2328). In most domains, HRU was highest in the cabazitaxel cohort and lowest in the BSC group. Accordingly, the highest all-cause and mCRPC-related costs per month, respectively, were observed in patients receiving cabazitaxel (€7631/€6343), followed by abiraterone (€5226/€4579), enzalutamide (€5079/€4416), docetaxel (€2392/€1580), and BSC (€959/€438). Cost variations were mostly attributable to drugs, inpatient treatment, and sick leave payments.

CONCLUSION

mCRPC treatment imposes a high economic burden on statutory health insurance. Cabazitaxel is associated with substantially higher expenses, resulting from higher drug costs and a greater need for inpatient treatment. As mCRPC continues to be incurable, decision makers and clinician leaders should carefully evaluate public access to innovative agents and optimal treatment strategies.

Nomogram predicting survival to assist decision-making of radical prostatectomy in patients with metastatic prostate cancer

Background

Radical prostatectomy (RP) has heterogeneous effects on survival of patients with metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa). A reliable model to predict risk of cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and the potential benefit derived from RP is needed.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with mPCa were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004–2015) and categorized in RP versus nonlocal treatment (NLT). Based on the Fine and Gray competing risks model in 8,463 NLT patients, a nomogram was created to predict CSM in mPCa patients. Decision tree analysis was then utilized for patient stratification. The effect of RP was evaluated among 3 different subgroups.

Results

A total of 8,863 patients were identified for analysis. Four hundred (4.5%) patients received RP. The 5-year cumulative incidence of CSM was 52.4% for the entire patients. Based on nomogram scores, patients were sorted into three risk groups using decision tree analysis. In the low- and intermediate-risk group, RP was found to be significantly correlated with a 21.7% risk reduction of 5-year CSM, and 25.0% risk reduction of 5-year CSM, respectively, whereas RP was not associated with CSM in high-risk group (hazard ratio =0.748, 95% confidence interval 0.485–1.150; P=0.190).

Conclusions

We developed a novel nomogram and corresponding patient stratification predicting CSM in mPCa patients. A newly identified patient subgroup with low-, and intermediate-risk of CSM might benefit more from RP. These results should be further validated and improved by ongoing prospective trials.

State-of-the-art imaging for diagnosis of metastatic bone disease

Metastatic bone disease (MBD) is common—it is detected in up to 65–75% of patients with breast or prostate cancer, in over 35% of patients with lung cancer; and almost all patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma have focal lesions or a diffuse bone marrow infiltration. Metastatic bone disease can cause a variety of symptoms and is often associated with a poorer prognosis, with high social and health-care costs. Population-based cohort studies confirm significantly increased health-care utilization costs in patients presenting with cancer with MBD compared with those without MBD. The prolonged survival of patients with bone metastasis thanks to advances in therapy presents an opportunity for better treatments for this patient cohort. Early and accurate diagnosis of bone metastases is therefore crucial. The patterns and presentation of MBD are quite heterogeneous and necessitate good knowledge of the possibilities and limitations of each imaging modality. Here, we review the state-of-the-art imaging techniques, assess the need for evidence-based and cost-effective patient care pathways, and advocate multidisciplinary management based on collaborations between orthopedic surgeons, pathologists, oncologists, radiotherapists, and radiologists aimed at improving patient outcomes. Radiologists play a key role in this multidisciplinary approach to decision-making through correlating the tumor entity, the tumor biology, the impact on the surrounding tissues and progression, as well as the overall condition of the patient. This approach helps to choose the best patient-tailored imaging plan advocating a “choose wisely” strategy throughout the initial diagnosis, minimally invasive treatment procedures, as well as follow-up care plans.

Economic evaluation of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy compared to open radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer treatment in Ontario, Canada

INTRODUCTION

Recent health technology assessments (HTAs) of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in Ontario and Alberta, Canada, resulted in opposite recommendations, calling into question whether benefits of RARP offset the upfront investment. Therefore, the study objectives were to conduct a cost-utility analysis from a Canadian public payer perspective to determine the cost-effectiveness of RARP.

METHODS

Using a 10-year time horizon, a five-state Markov model was developed to compare RARP to open radical prostatectomy (ORP). Clinical parameters were derived from Canadian observational studies and a recently published systematic review. Costs, resource utilization, and utility values from recent Canadian sources were used to populate the model. Results were presented in terms of increment costs per quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained. A probabilistic analysis was conducted, and uncertainty was represented using cost-effectiveness acceptability curves (CEACs). One-way sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Future costs and QALYs were discounted at 1.5%.

RESULTS

Total cost of RARP and ORP were $47 033 and $45 332, respectively. Total estimated QALYs were 7.2047 and 7.1385 for RARP and ORP, respectively. The estimated incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) was $25 704 in the base-case analysis. At a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50 000 and $100 000 per QALY gained, the probability of RARP being cost-effective was 0.65 and 0.85, respectively. The model was most sensitive to the time horizon.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this analysis suggest that RARP is likely to be cost-effective in this Canadian patient population. The results are consistent with Alberta's HTA recommendation and other economic evaluations, but challenges Ontario's reimbursement decision.

Application of the ASCO Value Framework and ESMO Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale to Assess the Value of Abiraterone and Enzalutamide in Advanced Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE

As novel hormonal therapies, such as abiraterone and enzalutamide, move into earlier stages of treatment of advanced prostate cancer, there are significant cost implications. We used the ASCO Value Framework (AVF) and European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale (MCBS) to quantify and compare the incremental clinical benefit and costs of these agents in the metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) settings.

METHODS

We searched PubMed for randomized phase III trials of abiraterone and enzalutamide in mCRPC and mCSPC. Incremental clinical benefit was quantified using the AVF and ESMO-MCBS by 2 independent assessors. Incremental drug costs were calculated using average wholesale prices (AWPs) from the RED BOOK Online.

RESULTS

In mCRPC, 2 abiraterone trials (COU-AA-301 and COU-AA-302) and 2 enzalutamide trials (AFFIRM and PREVAIL) met search criteria. AVF scores ranged from 46.3 to 66.6, suggesting clinical benefit; ESMO-MCBS scores ranged from 3 to 5, with lower clinical benefit in the mCRPC predocetaxel setting. The overall incremental AWP ranged from $83,460.94 to $205,128.85. In mCSPC, 4 trials met criteria (LATITUDE, STAMPEDE, ENZAMET, and ARCHES; AVF scores were 79.8, 33.3, 59, and 17, respectively). All of the studies showed benefit except ARCHES. By ESMO-MCBS, both LATITUDE and STAMPEDE showed benefit (score for 4 for both studies); ENZAMET and ARCHES were not evaluable. The overall cost of treatment was significantly higher in the mCSPC setting.

CONCLUSION

The AVF and ESMO-MCBS frameworks generated slightly different results but suggested that abiraterone and enzalutamide show clinical benefit in both mCRPC and mCSPC but trended to lower clinical benefit and increased costs in earlier disease stages. Further refinement of the AVF and ESMO-MCBS is needed to facilitate their use and their ability to inform clinical practice in a rapidly changing treatment landscape.

Cost-effectiveness model of abiraterone plus prednisone, cabazitaxel plus prednisone and enzalutamide for visceral metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer therapy after docetaxel therapy resistance

Aims: Among patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, 10-20% will develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) within 5 years; for 70%, CRPC will metastasize, mostly to the lungs and/or liver. We performed a cost-effectiveness model comparing abiraterone plus prednisone (ABI + PRD), cabazitaxel plus prednisone (CAB + PRD) and enzalutamide (ENZ) for visceral metastatic CRPC post-docetaxel therapy resistance. Methods: A three-state (Progression-Free, Progression, Death) lifetime Markov model was constructed to compare ABI + PRD, CAB + PRD, and ENZ from a United States healthcare payer perspective (2019 US$; discount rate 3%/yr.). Effectiveness was measured in life-years (LYs) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Inputs included treatment costs, grade III/IV adverse events with incidence ≥5%, physician follow-up, lab and imaging tests. Phase III trial Kaplan-Meier curves were extrapolated to estimate overall survival and Progression-Free transition probabilities. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) and utility ratios (ICURs), probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSAs) and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves at willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds were estimated. Results: Models estimated 3-year overall survival rates of 1.3% for patients treated with ABI + PRD, 16.2% for CAB + PRD, and 13.2% for ENZ. Estimated Progression-Free rates at 1.5 years were 0.51% for ABI + PRD, 0.27% for CAB + PRD, and 14.47% for ENZ. LYs and QALYs were 1.20 and 0.58 respectively for ABI + PRD, 1.48 and 0.56 for CAB + PRD, and 1.58 and 0.79 for ENZ. Total treatment costs were: $115,433 for ABI + PRD, $85,337 for CAB + PRD and $109,213 for ENZ. CAB + PRD and ENZ dominated ABI + PRD due to higher LYs gained. Incremental QALYs for ENZ vs. CAB + PRD were larger than incremental LYs. The ICUR for ENZ was $103,674/QALY compared to CAB + PRD. Conclusions: This analysis found ENZ provided greater LYs and QALYs than both ABI + PRD and CAB + PRD, at a lower cost than ABI + PRD, but at a higher cost compared to CAB + PRD. For patients with visceral mCRPC after docetaxel therapy resistance, ENZ was cost-effective 92% of the time with a WTP threshold of $100,000/QALY.

Abiraterone vs. docetaxel for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer: A microsimulation model

INTRODUCTION

Our aim was to determine whether androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with abiraterone acetate (AA) or ADT with docetaxel chemotherapy (DC) resulted in improved quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) among men with de novo metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) and the cost effectiveness of the preferred strategy using decision analytic techniques.

METHODS

A microsimulation model with a lifetime time horizon was constructed. Our primary outcome was QALYs. Secondary outcomes included cost, incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER), unadjusted overall survival (OS), rates of second- and third-line therapy, and adverse events. A systematic literature review was used to generate probabilities and utilities to populate the model. The base case was a 65-year-old patient with de novo mCSPC.

RESULTS

A total of 100 000 microsimulations were generated. Initial AA resulted in a gain of 0.45 QALYs compared to DC (3.36 vs. 2.91 QALYs) with an ICER of $276 251.82 per QALY gained with initial AA therapy. Median crude OS was 51 months with AA and 48 months with DC. Overall, 46.6% and 42.6% of patients received second-line therapy and 8.7% and 7.9% patients received third-line therapy in the AA and DC groups, respectively. Grade 3/4 adverse events were experienced in 17.6% of patients receiving initial AA and 22.3% of patients receiving initial DC.

CONCLUSIONS

Although ADT with AA results in a gain in QALYs and crude OS compared to DC, AA therapy is not a cost-effective treatment strategy to apply uniformly to all patients. The availability of AA as a generic medication may help to close this gap. The ultimate choice should be based on patient and tumor factors.

Clinical characteristics, treatment pattern, and medical costs associated with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in Chinese tertiary care hospital settings

Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics, treatment pattern, and medical costs associated with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in Chinese patients. Methods: This retrospective study identified a group of patients with newly-developed mCRPC from 2012 to 2016 to extract information from their medical and billing records in two tertiary care hospitals. Descriptive statistical methods were used to summarize patient clinical characteristics, treatment pattern, and monthly medical costs. Conventional regression analyses explored the predictors for the utilization of chemotherapy and monthly medical costs. Results: Seventy-eight identified mCRPC patients were characterized with a high proportion of stage IV tumors at diagnosis of prostate cancer (75.0%) and high prevalence of bone metastasis (91.0%). Sixty-six percent of the identified patients only received one treatment episode. Among the patients receiving the first treatment episode, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and best supportive care (BSC) accounted for 75.7%, 21.4%, and 2.9%, respectively; the previous orchiectomy was significantly associated with chemotherapy (odds ratio = 5.325, p = 0.034); and chemotherapy was associated with comparable drug costs and higher non-drug costs (coefficient = 0.657, p = 0.056) when compared to hormone therapy after the adjustment of patient characteristics. Conclusions: Chinese mCRPC patients were characterized with delayed diagnosis of prostate cancer and high prevalence of bone metastasis. The treatment options for mCRPC were limited in Chinese patients as the conventional hormone therapy was still heavily used after the development of mCRPC. The medical costs associated with mCRPC were mainly driven by chemotherapy in Chinese patients.

Cancer Drug Use in the Last Month of Life in Men With Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE

Several new drug therapies have been approved in CRPC in the past decade. However, little is known about their potential overuse at the end of life. Cancer therapy use at the end of life has been considered an indicator of overtreatment. The study objective was to describe CRPC drug use in the last month of life of CRPC patients in Quebec.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using administrative databases from the province of Quebec in Canada, we identified patients who received medical or surgical castration treatment, received one or more CRPC drugs (chemotherapy, abiraterone, or bone-targeted therapy), and died between 2001 and 2013. CRPC drug use in the last month of life was the primary outcome.

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of 1,148 patients with CRPC. A total of 316 men (27.5%) received a CRPC drug in the last month of life. For those who received chemotherapy, abiraterone, and bone-targeted therapy, 10.2%, 27.8%, and 31.8% received them in the last month of life, respectively. In multivariable analyses, age older than 75 years (odds ratio [OR], 0.75; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.99), and prostate cancer diagnosis received less than 24 months earlier (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.26 to 0.72) were associated with less CRPC drug use. Relative to dying between 2005 and 2011, dying between 2012 and 2013 (OR 1.60; 95% CI, 1.18 to 2.18) was associated with greater CRPC drug use.

CONCLUSION

More than one quarter of patients received CRPC drug therapies in the last month of life. Persistent chemotherapy, abiraterone, bone-targeted therapies, and medical castration drugs in the last month of life may be an indicator of inappropriate and expensive end-of-life care.

Real-World Treatment Patterns in Patients with Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer and Bone Metastases

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men in the United States. There is scant real-world evidence characterizing the care utilization and clinical outcomes associated with the use of therapies currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

OBJECTIVE

To describe the real-world treatment patterns, healthcare costs, and survival rates of patients with metastatic CRPC and bone metastases who have commercial or Medicare coverage.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study was conducted using medical and pharmacy claims from the Humana research database for male patients who had Medicare or commercial coverage and were aged 55 to 89 years at the initiation of treatment for metastatic CRPC. Three inclusion criteria were used to identify appropriate patients for the 2 cohorts, including (1) a diagnosis of prostate cancer (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] code 185.x); (2) a diagnosis of bone metastasis (ICD-9-CM code 198.5) between 2013 and 2014; and (3) a healthcare insurance claim indicating a prescription for an FDA-approved first-line treatment for metastatic CRPC. Subsequent lines of treatment were also identified through the healthcare claims data. The 2-year survival rate was calculated and controlled for demographic and clinical characteristics, and the total costs (medical plus pharmacy) were calculated for the 6 months postindex.

RESULTS

A total of 1855 patients met the study inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 660 (35.6%) received at least 1 medication. The patient count by line of treatment was 660 (100%) who received first-line therapy, 380 (57.6%) who received second-line treatment, 204 (30.9%) who received third-line therapy, and 107 (16.2%) who received fourth-line therapy. The medication distribution by line of treatment (using first-, second-, third-, or fourth-line therapy for each drug) was abiraterone acetate (50.5%, 61.3%, 68.6%, 75.7%); enzalutamide (15.6%, 39.2%, 54.4%, 71.0%); sipuleucel-T (9.2%, 13.9%, 20.1%, 20.6%); radium-223 dichloride (1.7%, 2.6%, 7.4%, 13.1%); cabazitaxel (2.3%, 5.5%, 16.2%, 19.6%); and docetaxel (22.1%, 32.1%, 42.6%, 48.6%). The total monthly unadjusted healthcare costs for patients who received an FDA-approved treatment was much higher ($9435) than for patients with metastatic prostate cancer who did not receive an FDA-approved treatment ($5055), and the 2-year survival rate for patients who received an FDA-approved treatment was 57.1% (25th percentile, 250 days; 50th percentile, 541 days).

CONCLUSIONS

The most common first-line treatment for patients with commercial or Medicare coverage who had metastatic CRPC was abiraterone or enzalutamide. Hormone therapies used as monotherapy were the most frequently used treatment, and their concomitant administration with other treatments was the second most common treatment pattern. Additional clinical studies are needed to further elucidate the treatment sequencing for patients with metastatic CRPC.

Long-term outcomes of combining prostate brachytherapy and metastasis-directed radiotherapy in newly diagnosed oligometastatic prostate cancer: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Systemic Therapy in Advancing or Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Evaluation of Drug Efficacy (STAMPEDE) trial showed the survival benefit for prostate radiotherapy in newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients with a low metastatic burden. The result raises the next question whether additional radiotherapy to metastatic sites could improve the survival in those with a low metastatic burden.

METHODS

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of prostate-directed radiotherapy (PDRT) with or without metastasis-directed radiotherapy (MDRT) in newly diagnosed oligometastatic patients who underwent combination of high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy, external beam radiotherapy, and androgen deprivation therapy. Forty patients with bone metastasis and node positive prostate cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Of these, 22 (55%), 3 (7%), and 15 (38%) patients had N1M0, M1a, and M1b, respectively. Eighteen patients (45%) received MDRT to all metastatic sites. All patients initially underwent ≧6 months of androgen deprivation therapy. Oligometastatic disease was defined as presence of five or fewer metastatic lesions. Median follow-up period was 62.5 months.

RESULTS

Of the 40 patients, the 5-year castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)-free survival rate and cancer-specific survival was 64.4% and 87.9%, respectively. Pre- or post-treatment predictive value including prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at diagnosis ≥20 ng/mL, Gleason grade group 5, positive biopsy core rate ≥51%, PSA nadir level of ≥0.02 ng/mL after the radiotherapy, and no MDRT were significantly associated with progression to CRPC. Patients with MDRT had significantly higher probability of achieving a PSA level of <0.02 ng/mL than those without the therapy (88.8% vs 54.5%, P = 0.0354) and consequently had a better CRPC-free survival than those without the therapy (HR 0.319, 95%CI: 0.116-0.877). Comparing PDRT alone, PDRT with MDRT did not significantly increase the incidences of genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicities.

CONCLUSIONS

This single-institutional study revealed the feasibility of combining prostate brachytherapy and MDRT for newly diagnosed oligometastatic prostate cancer. This combined approach has potential to prolong CRPC-free survival.

Cost-effectiveness analyses and cost analyses in castration-resistant prostate cancer: A systematic review

Background

Treatment of metastatic prostate cancer is associated with high personal and economic burden. Recently, new treatment options for castration-resistant prostate cancer became available with promising survival advantages. However, cost-effectiveness of those new treatment options is sometimes ambiguous or given only under certain circumstances. The aim of this study was to systematically review studies on the cost-effectiveness of treatments and costs of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and metastasizing castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) on their methodological quality and the risk of bias.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed in the databases PubMed, CINAHL Complete, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science Core Collection for costs-effectiveness analyses, model-based economic evaluations, cost-of-illness analyses and budget impact analyses. Reported costs were inflated to 2015 US$ purchasing power parities. Quality assessment and risk of bias assessment was performed using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards checklist and the Bias in Economic Evaluations checklist, respectively.

Results

In total, 38 articles were identified by the systematic literature search. The methodological quality of the included studies varied widely, and there was considerable risk of bias. The cost-effectiveness treatments for CRPC and mCRPC was assessed with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios ranging from dominance for mitoxantrone to $562,328 per quality-adjusted life year gained for sipuleucel-T compared with prednisone alone. Annual costs for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer ranged from $3,067 to $77,725.

Conclusion

The cost-effectiveness of treatments of CRPC strongly depended on the willingness to pay per quality-adjusted life year gained/life-year saved throughout all included costs-effectiveness analyses and model-based economic evaluations. High-quality cost-effectiveness analyses based on randomized controlled trials are needed in order to make informed decisions on the management of castration-resistant prostate cancer and the resulting financial impact on the healthcare system.

A Prospective Phase 2 Trial of Transperineal Ultrasound-Guided Brachytherapy for Locally Recurrent Prostate Cancer After External Beam Radiation Therapy (NRG Oncology/RTOG-0526)

PURPOSE

Only retrospective data are available for low-dose-rate (LDR) salvage prostate brachytherapy for local recurrence after external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). The primary objective of this prospective phase 2 trial (NCT00450411) was to evaluate late gastrointestinal and genitourinary adverse events (AEs) after salvage LDR brachytherapy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Eligible patients had low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer before EBRT and biopsy-proven recurrence >30 months after EBRT, with prostate-specific antigen levels <10 ng/mL and no regional/distant disease. The primary endpoint was grade 3 or higher late treatment-related gastrointestinal or genitourinary AEs occurring 9 to 24 months after brachytherapy. These AEs were projected to be ≤10%, with ≥20% considered unacceptable. All events were graded with National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0. Multivariate analyses investigated associations of pretreatment or treatment variables with AEs.

RESULTS

One hundred patients from 20 centers were registered from May 2007 to January 2014. The 92 analyzable patients had a median follow-up of 54 months (range, 4-97) and a median age of 70 years (interquartile range [IQR], 65-74). The initial Gleason score was 7 in 48% of patients. The median dose of EBRT was 74 Gy (IQR, 70-76) at a median interval of 85 months previously (IQR, 60-119). Only 16% had androgen deprivation at study entry. Twelve patients (14%) had late grade 3 gastrointestinal/genitourinary AEs, with no treatment-related grade 4 or 5 AEs. No pretreatment variable predicted late AEs, including prior EBRT dose and elapsed interval. Higher V100 (percentage of prostate enclosed by prescription isodose) predicted both occurrence of late AEs (odds ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.52; P = .03) and earlier time to first occurrence (hazard ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.03-1.34; P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective multicenter trial reports outcomes of salvage LDR brachytherapy for post-EBRT recurrence. The rate of late grade 3 AEs did not exceed the unacceptable threshold. The only factor predictive of late AEs was implant dosimetry reflected by V100. Efficacy outcomes will be reported at a minimum of 5-year follow-up.

The burden of symptomatic skeletal events in castrate-resistant prostate cancer patients with bone metastases at three Canadian uro-oncology centres

INTRODUCTION

Metastatic bone disease in castrate-resistant prostate cancer risks significant morbidity, including symptomatic skeletal events. We estimated the healthcare resource costs of managing skeletal events.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients who died from or were treated palliatively for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer from 2006-2013 at Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Montreal), Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (Toronto), or Vancouver General Hospital (Vancouver).

RESULTS

Of 393 patients, 275 (70%) experienced 833 events (85 per 100 patient-years), with a median (95% confidence interval) time (months) to first event of 17.6 (15.3, 21.7). The mean metastatic bone disease-related healthcare resource use cost (2014 Canadian dollars) estimate for patients without symptomatic skeletal events was $9550 and between $22 101 (observed) and $34 615 (adjusted) for patients with at least one event. Fewer patients in Montreal (55%) experienced events compared to Toronto (79%) or Vancouver (76%). Median time (months) to first event was longer in Montreal (25.0 [18.5, 32.6]) than in Toronto (14.6 [9.7, 16.8] or Vancouver (17.3 [14.8, 24.0]). More patients received bone-targeted therapy in Montreal (64%) and Toronto (60%) than in Vancouver (24%). Bone-targeted therapy was mostly administered every 3-4 weeks in Montréal and every 3-4 months in Toronto.

CONCLUSIONS

Metastatic bone disease-related healthcare resource use costs for Canadian castrate-resistant prostate cancer patients are high. Symptomatic skeletal events occurred frequently, with the incremental cost of one or more events estimated between $12 641 and $25 120. Symptomatic skeletal event incidence and bone-targeted therapy use varied considerably between three Canadian uro-oncology centres. An important limitation is that only patients who died from prostate cancer were included, potentially overestimating costs.

Economic burden of the management of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer in Italy: a cost of illness study

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) accounts for 20% of all cancers in subjects over 50 years in Italy. The majority of patients with PCa present with localized disease at the time of diagnosis, but many patients develop recurrent metastatic disease after treatment with curative intent. Androgen deprivation therapy is the standard of care for metastatic PCa patients; unfortunately, most of them progress to castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) within 5 years. Metastatic CRPC (mCRPC) heavily affects patients in terms of quality of life, side effects, and survival, and greatly impacts economic costs. The approval of new effective agents in recent years, including cabazitaxel, abiraterone acetate, enzalutamide, and radium-223, has dramatically changed patient management.

Materials and methods

Here, we aimed to estimate the current costs of illness of mCRPC in Italy. All patients affected by mCRPC and treated with a single agent in an annual time horizon were considered. Therefore, the analysis was not focused on the management pathway of single patients through different lines of treatment. Direct medical costs referred to therapy, adverse event management, and skeletal-related event management were analyzed. A bottom-up approach was used to estimate the resource consumption: through national guidelines and expert opinions, the mean cost per patient was estimated and then multiplied by the total number of patients diagnosed with mCRPC.

Results

Direct medical costs ranged from €196.5 million to €228.0 million, representing ~0.2% of the financing of the Italian National Health Service in 2016. The main cost driver was the cost of treatment, which represented more than 77% of the overall economic burden.

Conclusion

Our analysis, reflective of real clinical practice, shows for the first time the high economic cost of mCRPC in Italy.

Treatments for Metastatic Prostate Cancer (mPC): A Review of Costing Evidence

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PC) is the most common cancer in Western countries. More than one third of PC patients develop metastatic disease, and the 5-year expected survival in distant disease is about 35%. During the last few years, new treatments have been launched for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to review the current literature on health economic analysis on the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer (mPC), compare the studies, summarize the findings and make the results available to administrators and decision makers.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was done for economic evaluations (cost-minimization, cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, cost-of-illness, cost-of-drug, and cost-benefit analyses). We employed the PubMed^® search engine and searched for publications published between 2012 and 2016. The terms used were "prostate cancer", "metastatic" and "cost". An initial screening of all headlines was performed, selected abstracts were analysed, and finally the full papers investigated. Study characteristics, treatment and comparator, country, type of evaluation, perspective, year of value, time horizon, efficacy data, discount rate, total costs and sensitivity analysis were analysed. The quality was assessed using the Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) instrument.

RESULTS

A total of 227 publications were detected and screened, 58 selected for full-text assessment and 31 included in the final analyses. Despite the significant international literature on the treatment of mCRPC, there were only 15 studies focusing on cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA). Medical treatment constituted two thirds of the selected studies. Significant costs in the treatment of mCRPC were disclosed. In the pre-docetaxel setting, both abiraterone acetate (AA) and enzalutamide were concluded beyond accepted cost/quality-adjusted life year limits. In the docetaxel refractory setting, most studies concluded that enzalutamide was cost-effective and superior to AA. In most studies, cabazitaxel was not recommended, because of high cost. Looking at bone-targeting drugs, generic zoledronic acid (ZA) was recommended. External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) was analysed in three studies, and single fraction radiotherapy was concluded to be cost saving. Radium-223 was documented as beneficial, but costly. The quality of the studies was generally good, but sensitivity analyses, discounting and the measurement of health outcomes were present in less than two thirds of the selected studies.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of mCRPC was associated with significant cost. In the post-docetaxel setting, single fraction radiotherapy and enzalutamide were considered cost-effective in most studies. Generic ZA was the recommended bone-targeting therapy.

Comparison of Timed Automata with Discrete Event Simulation for Modeling of Biomarker-Based Treatment Decisions: An Illustration for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND

With the advent of personalized medicine, the field of health economic modeling is being challenged and the use of patient-level dynamic modeling techniques might be required.

OBJECTIVES

To illustrate the usability of two such techniques, timed automata (TA) and discrete event simulation (DES), for modeling personalized treatment decisions.

METHODS

An early health technology assessment on the use of circulating tumor cells, compared with prostate-specific antigen and bone scintigraphy, to inform treatment decisions in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer was performed. Both modeling techniques were assessed quantitatively, in terms of intermediate outcomes (e.g., overtreatment) and health economic outcomes (e.g., net monetary benefit). Qualitatively, among others, model structure, agent interactions, data management (i.e., importing and exporting data), and model transparency were assessed.

RESULTS

Both models yielded realistic and similar intermediate and health economic outcomes. Overtreatment was reduced by 6.99 and 7.02 weeks by applying circulating tumor cell as a response marker at a net monetary benefit of -€1033 and -€1104 for the TA model and the DES model, respectively. Software-specific differences were observed regarding data management features and the support for statistical distributions, which were considered better for the DES software. Regarding method-specific differences, interactions were modeled more straightforward using TA, benefiting from its compositional model structure.

CONCLUSIONS

Both techniques prove suitable for modeling personalized treatment decisions, although DES would be preferred given the current software-specific limitations of TA. When these limitations are resolved, TA would be an interesting modeling alternative if interactions are key or its compositional structure is useful to manage multi-agent complex problems.

The Impact of Local Treatment on Overall Survival in Patients with Metastatic Prostate Cancer on Diagnosis: A National Cancer Data Base Analysis

BACKGROUND

The role of local treatment (LT) in patients with metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) at diagnosis is controversial.

OBJECTIVE

We set to evaluate the potential impact of LT on overall mortality (OM) in men with mPCa, and how this impact is influenced by tumor and patient characteristics.

DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 15 501 patients with mPCa were identified in the National Cancer Data Base (2004-2012) and categorized in LT (radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy targeted to prostate) versus nonlocal treatment (NLT; all other patients).

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The two arms (LT vs NLT) were matched using propensity scores to minimize selection bias. To evaluate LT impact on OM in relation to baseline characteristics, first multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to predict OM in patients treated with NLT, then interaction between predicted OM risk and LT status was tested.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Overall, 9.5% (n=1470) of patients received LT. In the postpropensity matched cohorts, 3-yr OM-free survival was higher in the LT group versus the NLT group (69% vs 54%; p<0.001). In multivariable Cox regression, the NLT group, age, and Charlson comorbidity index were predictors of OM (all p≤0.03). This model was used to predict the 3-yr OM risk. The interaction between predicted OM and LT status was significant (p<0.001). The benefit of LT on OM decreased progressively as predicted OM risk increased. Specifically, the 3-yr absolute improvement in OM-free survival was 15.7%, for patients with predicted OM risk ≤20% versus 0% for those with predicted OM risk ≥72%.

CONCLUSIONS

Men with mPCa at diagnosis benefit from LT in terms of OM. This is largely affected by baseline characteristics. Specifically, patients with a relatively low tumor risk and good general health status appear to benefit the most.

PATIENT SUMMARY

We used a large hospital-based database to evaluate which patients might benefit from local therapy when metastasized prostate cancer was present at diagnosis. Local therapy is associated with a survival benefit in men with less aggressive tumors and good general health.

Inpatient care burden due to cancers in Anhui, China: a cross-sectional household survey

Background

The financial burden of cancers has profound effects and there is a clear need to explore the issue from different perspectives and for different population groups. This study aimed at investigating inpatient cancer care (ICC) burden in Anhui, a typical inland province of China.

Methods

The study collected data through a household survey conducted during April to November, 2014 using cluster-randomized sampling and a structured questionnaire administered face-to-face by trained interviewers.

Results

The survey covered 60,678 urban and rural residents and 318 person-times of ICC during the past year. Age-adjusted annual person-times and days of ICC per thousand population added up to 4.24 and 76.78 respectively and urban residents showed significantly greater admission rates and length of stay than that of rural ones. Total ICC expenditures accounted for 13.30 % of all that of inpatient care for the whole population. Per-case direct and indirect costs of all types of cancers were estimated as 10365.1 and 929.9 RMB. Per-case total cost on ICC at township hospitals was 2142.3 RMB and at province level hospitals, 17133.0 RMB. Significant variations in per-case ICC expenditures also existed between patients with different household income and type of medical insurance systems, but patients suffering from different types of cancers. Out-of-pocket payment due to ICC turned out to be catastrophic for 20.6 % of all cancer patients and 65.2 % for other medical insurance, 45.6 % for enrollees of urban and rural medical insurance, 43.2 % for the 65 to 74 years old. Multi regression revealed statistically significant association between ICC costs and education, reimbursement ratio, household income and level of hospital.

Conclusions

Cancers characterize low incidence, moderate service use and high expenses. There exist substantial differences between subgroups and part of these variations cannot be explained by pathological factors. ICC expenses are catastrophic in nature to a large part of patients. There is a clear need for more effectively regulating cancer-related medical practices and service seeking behaviors.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-2995-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Management of localized and advanced prostate cancer in Canada: A lifetime cost and quality-adjusted life-year analysis

BACKGROUND

To the authors' knowledge, the literature to date lacks studies examining lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of prostate cancer (PCa) management strategies that integrate localized and advanced disease. The objective of the current study was to assess lifetime costs and QALYs associated with contemporary PCa management strategies across risk groups by integrating localized and advanced disease.

METHODS

The authors' validated Markov chain Monte Carlo model was used to predict lifetime direct costs and QALYs. The health states modeled were active surveillance, initial treatments (radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy), PCa recurrence, PCa recurrence free, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and death (cause specific/other causes). Data regarding treatment distribution, state transition probabilities, adverse effects of management options, costs, utilities, and disutilities were derived from the published literature.

RESULTS

The total cost per patient for the overall cohort increased from $18,503 at 5 years to $28,032 and $39,143, respectively, at 10 years and 15 years. Furthermore, the results indicated the influence of risk group on total cost, with the high-risk group accruing the maximum per patient cost followed by the intermediate-risk and low-risk groups. Active surveillance was found to confer the most QALYs (12.5 years) and was the least costly strategy ($18,452) for individuals at low risk. For all risk groups, radical prostatectomy was less costly and conferred modestly more QALYs compared with intensity-modulated radiotherapy modalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Public health care systems in Canada and elsewhere are operating under budget constraints to allocate finite resources. The findings of the current study might inform discussions concerning budget planning to provide health care services.

Burden of illness of bone metastases in prostate cancer patients in Québec, Canada: A population-based analysis

INTRODUCTION

Metastasis of prostate cancer (PC) to bone (metastatic bone disease, MBD) increases morbidity, but Canadian data are lacking on the associated healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs. We quantified MBD-related HCRU and associated costs in this population, and assessed skeletal-related events (SREs), such as pathologic fracture, spinal cord compression, bone radiotherapy, and bone surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study using the Québec health insurance agency database. Prescription drug and medical services data were retrieved for patients with ≥1 healthcare claim in 2001 with a PC diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] code of 185.xx). Patients with ≥2 MBD-related claims or an SRE were compared with a matched-control group of PC patients without MBD. Patients were followed until death, loss to follow-up, or the end of available data (August 31, 2010). Costs (in 2012 Canadian dollars) were adjusted for age, year of MBD diagnosis, general health status, and baseline resource utilization.

RESULTS

Compared with controls (n = 1671), MBD patients (n = 626) had significantly higher HCRU. Adjusted mean (95% confidence interval) all-cause healthcare costs were $11 820 (7248-16 058) higher, and MBD-related costs were $3 091 (1267-4861) higher in MBD patients than in controls. Nearly 50% of MBD patients received radiotherapy within 2.5 years of their MBD diagnosis, but most exited the study without experiencing other SREs.

CONCLUSION

MBD imposes a heavy HCRU and cost burden among patients with PC in Canada. Effective therapy is needed to reduce the clinical and economic impact of MBD in this population.

Cost-effectiveness of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and targeted biopsy in diagnosing prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION

Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy (TRUSGB) is the recommended approach to diagnose prostate cancer (PCa). Overdiagnosis and sampling errors represent major limitations. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-targeted biopsy (MRTB) detects higher proportion of significant PCa and reduces diagnosis of insignificant PCa. Costs prevent MRTB from becoming the new standard in PCa diagnosis. The present study aimed at assessing whether added costs of MRI outweigh benefits of MRTB in a cost-utility model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A Markov model was developed to estimate quality-adjusted life-year gained (QALY) and costs for 2 strategies (the standard 12-core TRUSGB strategy and the MRTB strategy) over 5, 10, 15, and 20 years. MRI was used as triage test in biopsy-naive men with clinical suspicion of PCa. The model takes into account probability of men harboring PCa, diagnostic accuracy of both procedures, and probability of being assigned to various treatment options. Direct medical costs based on health care system perspective were included.

RESULTS

Following standard TRUSGB pathway, calculated cumulative effects at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years were 4.25, 7.17, 9.03, and 10.09 QALY, respectively. Cumulative effects in MRTB pathway were 4.29, 7.26, 9.17, and 10.26 QALY, correspondingly. Costs related to TRUSGB strategy were $8,027, $11,406, $14,883, and $17,587 at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years, respectively, as compared with $7,231, $10,450, $13,267, and $15,400 for the MRTB strategy. At 5, 10, 15, and 20 years, MRTB was the established dominant strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

Incorporation of MRI and MRTB in PCa diagnosis and management represents a cost-effective measure at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years after initial diagnosis.

A review of rectal toxicity following permanent low dose-rate prostate brachytherapy and the potential value of biodegradable rectal spacers

Permanent radioactive seed implantation provides highly effective treatment for prostate cancer that typically includes multidisciplinary collaboration between urologists and radiation oncologists. Low dose-rate (LDR) prostate brachytherapy offers excellent tumor control rates and has equivalent rates of rectal toxicity when compared with external beam radiotherapy. Owing to its proximity to the anterior rectal wall, a small portion of the rectum is often exposed to high doses of ionizing radiation from this procedure. Although rare, some patients develop transfusion-dependent rectal bleeding, ulcers or fistulas. These complications occasionally require permanent colostomy and thus can significantly impact a patient's quality of life. Aside from proper technique, a promising strategy has emerged that can help avoid these complications. By injecting biodegradable materials behind Denonviller's fascia, brachytherpists can increase the distance between the rectum and the radioactive sources to significantly decrease the rectal dose. This review summarizes the progress in this area and its applicability for use in combination with permanent LDR brachytherapy.

Clinical management and burden of prostate cancer: a Markov Monte Carlo model

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-skin cancer among men in developed countries. Several novel treatments have been adopted by healthcare systems to manage PCa. Most of the observational studies and randomized trials on PCa have concurrently evaluated fewer treatments over short follow-up. Further, preceding decision analytic models on PCa management have not evaluated various contemporary management options. Therefore, a contemporary decision analytic model was necessary to address limitations to the literature by synthesizing the evidence on novel treatments thereby forecasting short and long-term clinical outcomes.

Objectives

To develop and validate a Markov Monte Carlo model for the contemporary clinical management of PCa, and to assess the clinical burden of the disease from diagnosis to end-of-life.

Methods

A Markov Monte Carlo model was developed to simulate the management of PCa in men 65 years and older from diagnosis to end-of-life. Health states modeled were: risk at diagnosis, active surveillance, active treatment, PCa recurrence, PCa recurrence free, metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer, overall and PCa death. Treatment trajectories were based on state transition probabilities derived from the literature. Validation and sensitivity analyses assessed the accuracy and robustness of model predicted outcomes.

Results

Validation indicated model predicted rates were comparable to observed rates in the published literature. The simulated distribution of clinical outcomes for the base case was consistent with sensitivity analyses. Predicted rate of clinical outcomes and mortality varied across risk groups. Life expectancy and health adjusted life expectancy predicted for the simulated cohort was 20.9 years (95%CI 20.5–21.3) and 18.2 years (95% CI 17.9–18.5), respectively.

Conclusion

Study findings indicated contemporary management strategies improved survival and quality of life in patients with PCa. This model could be used to compare long-term outcomes and life expectancy conferred of PCa management paradigms.