Cost-effectiveness of sunitinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Pembrolizumab plus axitinib and nivolumab plus ipilimumab as first-line treatments of advanced intermediate- or poor-risk renal-cell carcinoma: a number needed to treat analysis from the Brazilian private perspective

BACKGROUND

Considering clinical benefits of new combination therapies for metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (mRCC), this study aims to calculate the number needed to treat (NTT) and the cost of preventing an event (COPE) for pembrolizumab plus axitinib (P + A), and nivolumab plus ipilimumab (N + I) as first-line treatments, from the Brazilian private perspective.

METHODS

Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) data for intermediate- and poor-risk groups were obtained from KEYNOTE-426 and CHECKMATE-214 trials for P + A and N + I, respectively, versus sunitinib as mRCC first-line treatment.

RESULTS

Considering a 12-month time horizon, 6 patients should be treated with P + A to prevent one death with sunitinib use, resulting in a COPE of 3,773,865 BRL. Using N + I, NNT for 12-month OS rate was 13 compared to sunitinib, with a COPE of 6,357,965 BRL. Regarding PFS data, NNT was also 6 when comparing P + A versus sunitinib, with an estimated COPE of 3,773,865 BRL. Estimated NNT was 20 comparing N + I and sunitinib, resulting in a COPE of 10,172,744 BRL. Cost differences between two treatment options, reached more than 6 million BRL for PFS, and 2 million BRL for OS.

CONCLUSION

At the 12-month landmark, P + A suggests better economic scenario versus N + I as first-line mRCC treatment option for intermediate- and poor-risk groups, through an indirect comparison using sunitinib as a common comparator.

Economic Burden of Renal Cell Carcinoma-Part I: An Updated Review

BACKGROUND

The economic burden of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) had been reported to be significant in a previous review published in 2011.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to perform an updated review by synthesizing economic studies related to the treatment of RCC that have been published since the previous review.

METHODS

We performed a literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, covering English-language studies published between June 2010 and August 2018. We categorized these articles by type of analyses [cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), cost analysis, and cost of illness (COI)] and treatment setting (cancer status and treatment), discussed findings from these articles, and synthesized information from each article in summary tables.

RESULTS

We identified 52 studies from 2317 abstracts/titles deemed relevant from the initial search, including 21 CEA, 23 cost analysis, and 8 COI studies. For localized RCC, costs were found to be positively associated with the aggressiveness of the local treatment. For metastatic RCC (mRCC), pazopanib was reported to be cost effective in the first-line setting. We also found that the economic burden of RCC has increased over time.

CONCLUSION

RCC continues to impose a substantial economic burden to the healthcare system. Despite the large number of treatment alternatives now available for advanced RCC, the cost effectiveness and budgetary impact of many new agents remain unknown and warrant greater attention in future research.

A systematic review of economic evaluations of tyrosine kinase inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors and programmed death-1 inhibitors in metastatic renal cell cancer

INTRODUCTION

The therapeutic categories of tyrosine kinase inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors and programmed death-1 inhibitors have transformed the treatment of metastatic renal cell cancer. Nevertheless, this comes at an increased cost, in tandem with similar fiscal pressures in the broader oncology sector, which may jeopardize the sustainability of health systems.

AREAS COVERED

To this direction, the economic evaluation of these agents is essential for rational and efficient decision-making and resource allocation process. The aim of this study is to glean, assess and present an outline of the available cost-effectiveness studies of these agents in the management of metastatic renal cell cancer.

EXPERT COMMENTARY

We concluded that the results of the economic evaluations are pertinent, apart from the product under evaluation, to the country setting as well.

The role of pazopanib on tumour angiogenesis and in the management of cancers: A review

Pazopanib is a relatively new compound to be introduced into the chemotherapy field. It is thought to have decent anti-angiogenic properties, which gives an additional hope for the treatment of certain types of cancers. A systematic review solely discussing about pazopanib and its anti-angiogenic effect is yet to be published to date, despite several relevant clinical trials being conducted over the recent years. In this review, we aim to investigate the mechanism of pazopanib's anti-angiogenic effect and its effectiveness in treating several cancers. We have included, in this study, findings from electronically searchable data from randomized clinical trials, clinical studies, cohort studies and other relevant articles. A total of 352 studies were included in this review. From the studies, the effect of pazopanib in various cancers or models was observed and recorded. Study quality is indefinite, with a few decent quality articles. The most elaborately studied cancers include renal cell carcinoma, solid tumors, advanced solid tumors, soft tissue sarcoma, breast cancer and gynecological cancers. In addition, several less commonly studied cancers are included in the studies as well. Pazopanib had demonstrated its anti-angiogenic effect based on favorable results observed in cancers, which are caused by angiogenesis-related mechanisms, such as renal cell carcinoma, solid tumors, advanced solid tumors and soft tissue sarcoma. This review was conducted to study, analyze and review the anti-angiogenic properties of pazopanib in various cancers. The results obtained can provide a decent reference when considering treatment options for angiogenesis-related malignancies. Furthermore, the definite observations of the anti-angiogenic effects of pazopanib could provide newer insights leading to the future development of drugs of the same mechanism with increased efficiency and reduced adverse effects.

Sunitinib: Ten Years of Successful Clinical Use and Study in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

The oral multikinase inhibitor sunitinib malate was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January 2006 for use in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Since then, it has been approved globally for this indication and for patients with imatinib-resistant or -intolerant gastrointestinal stromal tumors and advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. As we mark the 10-year anniversary of the beginning of the era of targeted therapy, and specifically the approval of sunitinib, it is worthwhile to highlight the progress that has been made in advanced RCC as it relates to the study of sunitinib. We present the key trials and data for sunitinib that established it as a reference standard of care for first-line advanced RCC therapy and, along with other targeted agents, significantly altered the treatment landscape in RCC. Moreover, we discuss the research with sunitinib that has sought to refine its role via patient selection and prognostic markers, improve dosing and adverse event management, and identify predictive efficacy biomarkers, plus the extent to which this research has contributed to the overall understanding and management of RCC. We also explore the key learnings regarding study design and data interpretation from the sunitinib studies and how these findings and the sunitinib development program, in general, can be a model for successful development of other agents. Finally, ongoing research into the continued and future role of sunitinib in RCC management is discussed.

THE ONCOLOGIST

2017;22:41-52 IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Approved globally, sunitinib is established as a standard of care for first-line advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) therapy and, along with other targeted agents, has significantly altered the treatment landscape in RCC. Research with sunitinib that has sought to refine its role via patient selection and prognostic markers, improve dosing and adverse event management, and identify predictive efficacy biomarkers has contributed to the overall understanding and management of RCC. Key learnings regarding study design and data interpretation from the sunitinib studies and the sunitinib development program, in general, can be a model for the successful development of other agents.

Targeting tumor microenvironment with silibinin: promise and potential for a translational cancer chemopreventive strategy

Tumor microenvironment (TME) refers to the dynamic cellular and extra-cellular components surrounding tumor cells at each stage of the carcinogenesis. TME has now emerged as an integral and inseparable part of the carcinogenesis that plays a critical role in tumor growth, angiogenesis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, migration and metastasis. Besides its vital role in carcinogenesis, TME is also a better drug target because of its relative genetic stability with lesser probability for the development of drug-resistance. Several drugs targeting the TME (endothelial cells, macrophages, cancer-associated fibroblasts, or extra-cellular matrix) have either been approved or are in clinical trials. Recently, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs targeting inflammation were reported to also prevent several cancers. These exciting developments suggest that cancer chemopreventive strategies targeting both tumor and TME would be better and effective towards preventing, retarding or reversing the process of carcinogenesis. Here, we have reviewed the effect of a well established hepatoprotective and chemopreventive agent silibinin on cellular (endothelial, fibroblast and immune cells) and non-cellular components (cytokines, growth factors, proteinases etc.) of the TME. Silibinin targets TME constituents as well as their interaction with cancer cells, thereby inhibiting tumor growth, angiogenesis, inflammation, EMT, and metastasis. Silibinin is already in clinical trials, and based upon completed studies we suggest that its chemopreventive effectiveness should be verified through its effect on biological end points in both tumor and TME. Overall, we believe that the chemopreventive strategies targeting both tumor and TME have practical and translational utility in lowering the cancer burden.