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Michaeli DT, Michaeli T, Albers S, Boch T, Michaeli JC. Special FDA designations for drug development: orphan, fast track, accelerated approval, priority review, and breakthrough therapy. THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS : HEPAC : HEALTH ECONOMICS IN PREVENTION AND CARE 2024; 25:979-997. [PMID: 37962724 PMCID: PMC11283430 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-023-01639-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the past decades, US Congress enabled the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to facilitate and expedite drug development for serious conditions filling unmet medical needs with five special designations and review pathways: orphan, fast track, accelerated approval, priority review, and breakthrough therapy. OBJECTIVES This study reviews the FDA's five special designations for drug development regarding their safety, efficacy/clinical benefit, clinical trials, innovation, economic incentives, development timelines, and price. METHODS We conducted a keyword search to identify studies analyzing the impact of the FDA's special designations (orphan, fast track, accelerated approval, priority review, and breakthrough therapy) on the safety, efficacy/clinical benefit, trials, innovativeness, economic incentives, development times, and pricing of new drugs. Results were summarized in a narrative overview. RESULTS Expedited approval reduces new drugs' time to market. However, faster drug development and regulatory review are associated with more unrecognized adverse events and post-marketing safety revisions. Clinical trials supporting special FDA approvals frequently use small, non-randomized, open-label designs. Required post-approval trials to monitor unknown adverse events are often delayed or not even initiated. Evidence suggests that drugs approved under special review pathways, marketed as "breakthroughs", are more innovative and deliver a higher clinical benefit than those receiving standard FDA approval. Special designations are an economically viable strategy for investors and pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs for rare diseases with unmet medical needs, due to financial incentives, expedited development timelines, higher clinical trial success rates, alongside greater prices. Nonetheless, patients, physicians, and insurers are concerned about spending money on drugs without a proven benefit or even on drugs that turn out to be ineffective. While European countries established performance- and financial-based managed entry agreements to account for this uncertainty in clinical trial evidence and cost-effectiveness, the pricing and reimbursement of these drugs remain largely unregulated in the US. CONCLUSION Special FDA designations shorten clinical development and FDA approval times for new drugs treating rare and severe diseases with unmet medical needs. Special-designated drugs offer a greater clinical benefit to patients. However, physicians, patients, and insurers must be aware that special-designated drugs are often approved based on non-robust trials, associated with more unrecognized side effects, and sold for higher prices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Tobias Michaeli
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
- TUM School of Management, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Thomas Michaeli
- Department of Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
- Division of Personalized Medical Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Albers
- Department of Orthopaedics and Sport Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Boch
- Department of Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
- Division of Personalized Medical Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Jiao B. Estimating the Potential Benefits of Confirmatory Trials for Drugs with Accelerated Approval: A Comprehensive Value of Information Framework. PHARMACOECONOMICS 2023; 41:1617-1627. [PMID: 37490206 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-023-01303-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The US Food and Drug Administration's Accelerated Approval (AA) policy provides a pathway for patients to access potentially life-saving drugs rapidly. However, the use of surrogate endpoints, single-arm designs, and small sample sizes in preliminary trials that support AAs can lead to uncertainty regarding the clinical benefits of such drugs. This study aims to develop a comprehensive value of information (VOI) framework for assessing the potential benefits of future confirmatory trials, accounting for the various uncertainties inherent in preliminary trials. METHODS I formulated an expected value of information from confirmatory trial (EVICT) metric, which evaluates the potential benefits of a confirmatory trial that would reduce those uncertainties by using a clinically meaningful endpoint, a randomized control, and increased sample size. The EVICT metric can quantify the expected benefits of a well-designed confirmatory trial or an inadequately designed one that continues to use surrogate endpoints or single-arm design. The framework was illustrated using a hypothetical AA drug for metastatic breast cancer. RESULTS The case study demonstrates that a highly uncertain preliminary trial of an AA drug was associated with a substantial EVICT. A confirmatory trial with an increased sample size for this AA drug, utilizing a clinically meaningful endpoint and randomized control, yielded a population-level EVICT of $12.6 million. Persistently using a surrogate endpoint and single-arm trial design would reduce the EVICT by 60%. CONCLUSIONS This framework can provide accurate VOI estimates to guide coverage policies, value-based pricing, and the design of confirmatory trials for AA drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boshen Jiao
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 90 Smith St, Boston, MA, 02120, USA.
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Ribeiro TB, Bennett CL, Colunga-Lozano LE, Araujo APV, Hozo I, Djulbegovic B. Increasing FDA-accelerated approval of single-arm trials in oncology (1992 to 2020). J Clin Epidemiol 2023; 159:151-158. [PMID: 37037322 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to map the characteristics of single-arm trials (SAT), report the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) transparency in presenting historical control, and to assess the confirmatory randomized controlled trials (RCTs). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING This metaresearch included a review of all oncology indication approved using SAT by FDA-AA (FDA-Accelerated Approval) from 1992 to 2020. Two independent reviewers identified SAT, extracted data from FDA full medical reviews for historical controls reported and MEDLINE for searching for confirmatory RCT published. RESULTS Of 254 FDA-AA approvals, 119 (47%) were approved for oncologic indications using SAT. Fifty-four drugs for 72 oncology indications were for leukemia, lymphoma, lung cancer, urothelial cancer, multiple myeloma, and thyroid cancer. Overall, 37 (52%) treatments were converted into regular approval. Of these, 17 (46%) were based on confirmatory RCTs using overall survival (OS) as an outcome. Five indications were withdrawn from the market. Most trials outcomes were blindly assessed by independent research committees. Median trial sample size was 105 patients (min:8 to max:532). The FDA did not fully specify historical control selection in 75% of cases. CONCLUSION The granting of FDA-AAs based on SAT in oncology is increasing with more target drugs approved over time. Transparency in historical control reporting is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiane Bomfim Ribeiro
- Department of Epidemiology. School of Public Health. University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Charles L Bennett
- Department of Computational & Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA; Division of Health Analytics, Evidence-Based Medicine & Comparative Effectiveness Research, 1500 East Duarte Rd, Duarte, California, USA; SmartState and Frank P and Josie N Fletcher Chair and Director, SmartState Center for Medication Safety and Efficacy, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Luis Enrique Colunga-Lozano
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Ana Paula Vieira Araujo
- Department of Pharmacy, University Hospital of Sao Paulo, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Iztok Hozo
- Department of Mathematics, Indiana University NW Gary, Indiana, USA
| | - Benjamin Djulbegovic
- Department of Computational & Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA; Division of Health Analytics, Evidence-Based Medicine & Comparative Effectiveness Research, 1500 East Duarte Rd, Duarte, California, USA
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Blakely CM, Weder W, Bubendorf L, He J, Majem M, Shyr Y, Chaft JE. Primary endpoints to assess the efficacy of novel therapeutic approaches in epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated, surgically resectable non-small cell lung cancer: A review. Lung Cancer 2023; 177:59-72. [PMID: 36736076 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
While the discovery of oncogenic driver mutations has personalized the metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment landscape with effective targeted therapies, implementation of new treatments in resectable NSCLC has been limited due to the long follow-up needed for overall survival (OS). Until recently, treatment for patients with early-stage resectable NSCLC has been limited to perioperative chemotherapy, which provides modest benefits. However, the regulatory acceptance of two surrogate endpoints for OS has allowed recent approval of both adjuvant osimertinib and atezolizumab, providing patients with new treatment options to improve outcomes. In phase 3 oncology trials, OS has historically been viewed as the gold-standard efficacy measure, but disease-free survival and event-free survival (EFS) are now validated surrogate endpoints for OS in clinical trials and should be considered when mature OS data is unavailable. Another potential surrogate endpoint in the adjuvant NSCLC setting is circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)-based minimal residual disease (MRD), although prospective validation is needed. For neoadjuvant targeted therapies, EFS, major pathologic response and ctDNA-based MRD are potential surrogate endpoints. To fully translate the success of the personalized treatment advances in the metastatic setting to earlier-stage disease, prospective validation studies of these potential surrogate endpoints that can accelerate the evaluation of drug efficacy are needed. A collaborative effort is also needed from all clinical and regulatory parties to collate surrogate endpoint data for large-scale validation. In this review we discuss the trends in surrogate endpoints used in oncology trials, with a focus on considerations for selecting appropriate primary endpoints in early-stage resectable EGFR-mutant NSCLC, an area of unmet need for novel treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin M Blakely
- Department of Medicine and Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Walter Weder
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Zurich (director Emeritus), Thoraxchirurgie, Klinik Bethanien, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Bubendorf
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jianxing He
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Margarita Majem
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yu Shyr
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jamie E Chaft
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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Palomba ML, Ghione P, Patel AR, Nahas M, Beygi S, Hatswell AJ, Kanters S, Limbrick-Oldfield EH, Wade SW, Ray MD, Owen J, Neelapu SS, Gribben J, Radford J, Bobillo S. A 24-month updated analysis of the comparative effectiveness of ZUMA-5 (axi-cel) vs. SCHOLAR-5 external control in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2023; 23:199-206. [PMID: 36723678 PMCID: PMC11104735 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2023.2171994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the ZUMA-5 trial (Clinical trials identification: NCT03105336), axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel; a chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy) demonstrated high rates of durable response in relapsed/refractory (r/r) follicular lymphoma (FL) patients and clear superiority relative to the SCHOLAR-5 external control cohort. We update this comparison using the ZUMA-5 24-month data. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The SCHOLAR-5 cohort is comprised of r/r FL patients who initiated ≥3rd line of therapy after July 2014 and meeting ZUMA-5 eligibility criteria. Groups were balanced for patient characteristics through propensity scoring on prespecified prognostic factors using standardized mortality ratio (SMR) weighting. The overall response rate was compared using a weighted logistic regression. Time-to-event outcomes were evaluated using a Cox regression. RESULTS For SCHOLAR-5, the sum of weights for the 143 patients was 85 after SMR weighting, versus 86 patients in ZUMA-5. The median follow-up was 29.4 months and 25.4 months for ZUMA-5 and SCHOLAR-5, respectively. The hazard ratios for overall survival and progression-free survival were 0.52 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28-0.95) and 0.28 (95% CI: 0.17-0.45), favoring axi-cel. CONCLUSION This updated analysis, using a longer minimum follow-up than a previously published analysis, shows that the improved efficacy of axi-cel, relative to available therapies, in r/r FL is durable. .
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lia Palomba
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paola Ghione
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Myrna Nahas
- Kite, A Gilead Company, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Sara Beygi
- Kite, A Gilead Company, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sally W Wade
- Wade Outcomes Research and Consulting, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | | | - Sattva S Neelapu
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - John Radford
- The University of Manchester and Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
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Brown BL, Mitra-Majumdar M, Joyce K, Ross M, Pham C, Darrow JJ, Avorn J, Kesselheim AS. Trends in the Quality of Evidence Supporting FDA Drug Approvals: Results from a Literature Review. JOURNAL OF HEALTH POLITICS, POLICY AND LAW 2022; 47:649-672. [PMID: 35867548 DOI: 10.1215/03616878-10041093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT New drug approvals in the United States must be supported by substantial evidence from "adequate and well-controlled" trials. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has flexibility in how it applies this standard. METHODS The authors conducted a systematic literature review of studies evaluating the design and outcomes of the key trials supporting new drug approvals in the United States. They extracted data on the trial characteristics, endpoint types, and expedited regulatory pathways. FINDINGS Among 48 publications eligible for inclusion, 30 covered trial characteristics, 23 covered surrogate measures, and 30 covered regulatory pathways. Trends point toward less frequent randomization, double-blinding, and active controls, with variation by drug type and indication. Surrogate measures are becoming more common but are not consistently well correlated with clinical outcomes. Drugs approved through expedited regulatory pathways often have less rigorous trial design characteristics. CONCLUSIONS The characteristics of trials used to approve new drugs have evolved over the past two decades along with greater use of expedited regulatory pathways and changes in the nature of drugs being evaluated. While flexibility in regulatory standards is important, policy changes can emphasize high-quality data collection before or after FDA approval.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jerry Avorn
- Brigham and Women's Hospital / Harvard Medical School
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Ballreich J, Socal M, Bennett CL, Schoen MW, Trujillo A, Xuan A, Anderson G. Medicare Spending on Drugs With Accelerated Approval. Ann Intern Med 2022; 175:938-944. [PMID: 35605235 DOI: 10.7326/m21-4442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides accelerated approval to drugs on the basis of surrogate end points deemed to be "reasonably likely" to predict clinical benefit. To receive full approval, drugs must complete a confirmatory trial. Although most accelerated approved drugs ultimately receive full approval, others remain on the market without full approval for many years, and some are withdrawn before full approval is granted. Until confirmatory trials are completed and full approval is granted, there is uncertainty surrounding each drug's clinical benefits. OBJECTIVE To estimate fee-for-service Medicare payments on accelerated approved drugs without full approvals. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis. SETTING Fee-for-service Medicare Part B and Part D drug claims in 2019. PARTICIPANTS Beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part B and Part D plans. MEASUREMENTS Medicare spending for drugs treating accelerated approved indications without full approval, beneficiary spending, and drug characteristics. RESULTS In 2019, 45 drugs associated with 69 accelerated approved indications lacked full approval. Of those, the fee-for-service Medicare program spent $1.2 billion on 36 drugs across 55 indications. Medicare beneficiaries had $209 million in out-of-pocket spending on these drugs. Oncology drugs represented 82% of these indications and 72% of the Medicare spending. Extrapolating to Medicare Advantage, total Medicare spending on these drugs in 2019 was $1.8 billion. LIMITATIONS The study drugs may have clinical benefit and may come to receive full approval after this analysis. The algorithm used to identify accelerated approved indications is novel. Generalizability to other years is unclear. CONCLUSION In 2019, fee-for-service Medicare spent $1.2 billion on accelerated approved drugs without full approval. Medicare should adjust incentives to encourage sponsors to complete confirmatory trials as soon as possible. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE Laura and John Arnold Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeromie Ballreich
- Department of Health Policy & Management and Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (J.B., M.S., G.A.)
| | - Mariana Socal
- Department of Health Policy & Management and Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (J.B., M.S., G.A.)
| | - Charles L Bennett
- University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, Columbia, South Carolina, and the Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research, the Beckman Institute, and the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California (C.L.B.)
| | - Martin W Schoen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri (M.W.S.)
| | - Antonio Trujillo
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (A.T.)
| | - Andrew Xuan
- Department of Health Policy & Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (A.X.)
| | - Gerard Anderson
- Department of Health Policy & Management and Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (J.B., M.S., G.A.)
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Adam R, Tibau A, Molto Valiente C, Šeruga B, Ocaña A, Amir E, Templeton AJ. Clinical benefit of cancer drugs approved in Switzerland 2010–2019. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268545. [PMID: 35687539 PMCID: PMC9187080 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
It is unknown to what extent cancer drugs approved in Switzerland by the Swissmedic fulfil criteria of clinical benefit according to the European Society of Medical Oncology Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale version 1.1 (ESMO-MCBS), the American Society of Clinical Oncology Value Framework version 2 (ASCO-VF) and the Swiss OLUtool v2 (OLUtool).
Patients and methods
An electronic search identified studies that led to marketing authorisations in Switzerland 2010–2019. Studies were evaluated according to ESMO-MCBS, ASCO-VF and OLUtool. Substantial benefit for ESMO-MCBS, was defined as a grade A or B for (neo)adjuvant intent and 4 or 5 for palliative intent. For ASCO-VF and OLUtool clinical benefit was defined as score ≥45 and A or B, respectively. Concordance between the frameworks was calculated with Cohen’s Kappa (κ). Factors associated with clinical benefit were evaluated by logistic regression.
Results
In the study period, 48 drugs were approved for 92 evaluable indications, based on 100 studies. Ratings for ESMO-MCBS, ASCO-VF and OLUtool could be performed for 100, 86, and 97 studies, respectively. Overall, 39 (39%), 44 (51%), 45 (46%) of the studies showed substantial clinical benefit according to ESMO-MCBS v1.1, ASCO-VF, OLUtool criteria, respectively. There was fair concordance between ESMO-MCBS and ASCO-VF in the palliative setting (κ = 0.31, P = 0.004) and moderate concordance between ESMO-MCBS and OLUtool (κ = 0.41, P<0.001). There was no significant concordance between ASCO-VF and OLUtool (κ = 0.18, P = 0.12). Factors associated with substantial clinical benefit in multivariable analysis were HRQoL benefit reported as secondary outcome for ESMO-MCBS and the ASCO-VF and blinded studies for OLUtool.
Conclusions
At the time of approval, only around half of the trials supporting marketing authorisation of recently approved cancer drugs in Switzerland meet the criteria for substantial clinical benefit when evaluated with ESMO-MCBS, ASCO-VF or OLUtool. There was at best only moderate concordance between the grading systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Adam
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ariadna Tibau
- Oncology Department, Departament de Medicina de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Consolación Molto Valiente
- Oncology Department, Departament de Medicina de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Boštjan Šeruga
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana and Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alberto Ocaña
- Experimental Therapeutics Unit, Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario San Carlos and IdISSC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eitan Amir
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, Princess Margaret Cancer Center and the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Arnoud J. Templeton
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, St. Claraspital, Basel, Switzerland
- St. Clara Research Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Hogervorst MA, Pontén J, Vreman RA, Mantel-Teeuwisse AK, Goettsch WG. Real World Data in Health Technology Assessment of Complex Health Technologies. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:837302. [PMID: 35222045 PMCID: PMC8866967 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.837302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The available evidence on relative effectiveness and risks of new health technologies is often limited at the time of health technology assessment (HTA). Additionally, a wide variety in real-world data (RWD) policies exist among HTA organizations. This study assessed which challenges, related to the increasingly complex nature of new health technologies, make the acceptance of RWD most likely. A questionnaire was disseminated among 33 EUnetHTA member HTA organizations. The questions focused on accepted data sources, circumstances that allowed for RWD acceptance and barriers to acceptance. The questionnaire was validated and tested for reliability by an expert panel, and pilot-tested before dissemination via LimeSurvey. Twenty-two HTA organizations completed the questionnaire (67%). All reported accepting randomized clinical trials. The most accepted RWD source were patient registries (19/22, 86%), the least accepted were editorials and expert opinions (8/22, 36%). With orphan treatments or companion diagnostics, organizations tended to be most likely to accept RWD sources, 4.3-3.2 on a 5-point Likert scale, respectively. Additional circumstances were reported to accept RWD (e.g., a high disease burden). The two most important barriers to accepting RWD were lacking necessary RWD sources and existing policy structures. European HTA organizations seem positive toward the (wider) use of RWD in HTA of complex therapies. Expanding the use of patient registries could be potentially useful, as a large share of the organizations already accepts this source. However, many barriers still exist to the widespread use of RWD. Our results can be used to prioritize circumstances in which RWD might be accepted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milou A. Hogervorst
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- National Health Care Institute (ZIN), Diemen, Netherlands
| | - Johan Pontén
- The Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency (TLV), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rick A. Vreman
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- National Health Care Institute (ZIN), Diemen, Netherlands
| | - Aukje K. Mantel-Teeuwisse
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Wim G. Goettsch
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- National Health Care Institute (ZIN), Diemen, Netherlands
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Rittberg R, Czaykowski P, Niraula S. Feasibility of Randomized Controlled Trials for Cancer Drugs Approved by the Food and Drug Administration Based on Single-Arm Studies. JNCI Cancer Spectr 2021; 5:pkab061. [PMID: 34409254 PMCID: PMC8364671 DOI: 10.1093/jncics/pkab061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) introduced an Accelerated Approval (AA) pathway to expedite patient access to new drugs. AA accepts less rigorous trial designs, including single-arm studies (SAS), owing to perceived lack of feasibility of timely randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods We designed hypothetical RCTs with endpoints of overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) for FDA approvals based on SAS for solid tumors during 2010-2019. Existing standards of care served as controls. RCTs were designed to detect a difference with power of 0.80, α-error of 5% (2-sided), and 1:1 randomization. Accrual duration was estimated based on participation by less than 5% of eligible patients derived from cancer-specific incidence and mortality rates in the United States. Results Of 172 (18.0%) approvals during the study period, 31 (18.0%) were based on SAS. Median sample size was 104 (range = 23-411), and 77.4% were AA. All studies reported ORR, 55% reported duration of response, 19.4% reported PFS, and 22.5% reported OS. Median sample sizes needed to conduct RCTs with endpoints of ORR, PFS, and OS were 206, 130, and 396, respectively. It would have been theoretically possible to conduct RCTs within duration comparable with that required by SAS for 84.6%, 94.1%, and 80.0% of approvals with endpoints of ORR, PFS, and OS, respectively. Conclusion An overwhelming majority of FDA approvals based on SAS should be feasible as RCTs within a reasonable time frame. Given the collateral harms to patients and to scientific rigor, drug approval based on SAS should only be permitted under exceptional circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah Rittberg
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Piotr Czaykowski
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Saroj Niraula
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Clinicopathological and Prognostic Significance of Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (IAP) Family Members in Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164098. [PMID: 34439255 PMCID: PMC8392569 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Approximately 85% is non-small-cell and 15% is small-cell lung cancer. The inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) represent a heterogeneous family of anti-apoptotic proteins, some members of which have been reported to correlate with clinical outcome in lung cancer. We screened PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for studies that investigated the prognostic value and clinicopathological features of IAPs in lung cancer. Forty-five eligible studies with 4428 patients assessed the expression of the IAPs survivin, XIAP, livin, and BRUCE. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) of 33 studies that analyzed overall survival (OS) revealed a positive correlation between survivin expression and poor prognosis. Seven studies displayed a strong association between survivin and disease recurrence. Two studies that assessed the expression of XIAP and livin, respectively, proved a significant relationship of these IAPs with poor OS. Meta-analyses of clinicopathological variables revealed a significant association between survivin and T stage, UICC stage, the presence of lymph node metastasis, and grade of differentiation. In conclusion, high expression of distinct IAPs significantly correlates with prognosis in lung cancer. Therefore, lung cancer patients might benefit from a targeted therapy against specific IAPs.
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Borrelli EP, McGladrigan CG. Five Year Analysis Assessing the Trend in Prescribing and Expenditures of Oral Oncolytics for Medicare Part D: 2013-2017. J Pharm Pract 2021; 35:580-586. [PMID: 33722080 DOI: 10.1177/08971900211000208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oral oncolytics are becoming a mainstay in oncology, representing first-line therapies for numerous different malignancies. In addition, the cost of oncology drugs has increased dramatically in recent years. Given the increasing number of oral oncolytics available, as well as the increase in medication costs in recent years, it is important to assess the trend in prescriptions and expenditures of these agents. METHODS A descriptive retrospective analysis of the Medicare Part D Provider Utilization and Payment Data Public Use File (PUF) was conducted for the years 2013 through 2017. Outcomes of interest included total aggregate prescriptions per year, total aggregate expenditures per year, mean expenditure per prescription per year, and mean expenditure per standardized 30-day prescription per year. Chi-square tests were conducted to assess statistical significance of differences in proportions of prescriptions as well as expenditures between 2013 and 2017. RESULTS The number of prescriptions for oral oncolytics dispensed to Medicare Part D beneficiaries increased from 7,017,902 in 2013 to 8,164,883 in 2017. Medicare Part D expenditures for oral oncolytics increased greater than 2.5-fold from $5,631,224,307 in 2013 to $14,422,681,331 in 2017 after adjusting for inflation. The mean expenditure per prescription for oral oncolytics increased from $802 in 2013 to $1,766 in 2017. CONCLUSIONS This study found oral oncolytic utilization has been increasing in recent years with a slight, but statistically significant increase in the proportion of oncolytics for all Medicare prescriptions from 2013 through 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P Borrelli
- University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, Kingston, RI, USA
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