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Mørup MF, Taieb V, Willems D, Rose M, Lyris N, Lamotte M, Gerlier L, Thom H. The cost-effectiveness of a bimekizumab versus IL-17A inhibitors treatment-pathway in patients with active axial spondyloarthritis in Scotland. J Med Econ 2024; 27:682-696. [PMID: 38650583 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2024.2342209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the cost-effectiveness of a treatment-pathway initiated with bimekizumab, a monoclonal IgG1 antibody that selectively inhibits interleukin (IL)-17F and IL-17A, in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) compared with IL-17Ai's, ixekizumab, and secukinumab, from the NHS Scotland perspective. METHODS The axSpA treatment-pathway was modeled using a decision tree followed by a lifetime Markov model. The pathway included first- and second-line biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD), followed by best supportive care (bDMARD, nonbiologic). Bimekizumab followed by any bDMARD ("BKZ") was compared with IL-17Ai's: secukinumab 150 mg followed by a blend ("SEC") of dose up-titration to secukinumab 300 mg and any bDMARD, or ixekizumab followed by any bDMARD ("IXE"). Transition to the next therapy was triggered by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index-50% (BASDAI50) non-response or any-cause discontinuation. A published network meta-analysis provided efficacy data. EuroQoL-5-dimensions utilities were derived by mapping from Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score. Costs included disease management (linked to functional limitations), biologics acquisition (list prices), administration and monitoring (NHS 2021/22). Discounting was 3.5%/year. Probabilistic results from patients with non-radiographic axSpA and ankylosing spondylitis were averaged to reflect the axSpA disease spectrum. Scenario and sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of BKZ was £24,801/quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) vs. SEC (95% credible interval £24,163-£25,895). BKZ had similar costs (Δ -£385 [-£15,239-£14,468]) and QALYs (Δ 0.039 [-0.748-0.825]) to IXE, with £1,523 (£862-£2,222) net monetary benefit. Conclusions remained unchanged in most scenarios. Results' drivers included BASDAI50 response rate and disease management cost. LIMITATIONS Results were based on list prices. Data concerning up-titration to secukinumab 300 mg was scarce. CONCLUSIONS The bimekizumab treatment-pathway represents a cost-effective option across the axSpA disease spectrum in Scotland. Bimekizumab is cost-effective compared to a secukinumab-pathway that includes dose up-titration, and has similar costs and QALYs to an ixekizumab-pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Howard Thom
- University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Clifton Insight, Bristol, UK
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Liu Y, Xu L, Wang X, Wu L, Cai R, Li L, Zheng Q. Optimization of secukinumab dose regimens in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis via exposure-response modeling. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2023; 16:999-1008. [PMID: 37710355 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2023.2259300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Further dose optimization is required for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who do not benefit from the approved secukinumab dose regimen. This study aimed to develop an exposure-response model for secukinumab to recommend dose regimens for patients of different body weights. METHODS We searched the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases for randomized controlled trials using PASI 75 and PASI 90 response rates as primary outcomes. A model-based meta-analysis was developed to quantitatively analyze the distribution of six secukinumab dose regimens in patients weighing 50-120 kg. RESULTS Sixteen trials involving 6,197 subjects were included in the analysis. The established model accurately described the time-course characteristics of PASI 75 and PASI 90 response rates over 52 weeks. Simulations indicated that maintenance doses could be reduced to 150 mg every 4 weeks and to 150 mg every 3 weeks for patients weighing 50 and 60 kg, respectively. In contrast, maintenance doses of 300 mg every 3 weeks should be selected for patients weighing 120 kg. Patients weighing 70-110 kg remained on approved maintenance doses of 300 mg every 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Based on patient body weights, the exposure-response model recommends efficacious and economical dose regimens for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiao Liu
- Center for Drug Clinical Research, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Xu
- Center for Drug Clinical Research, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinrui Wang
- Center for Drug Clinical Research, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijuan Wu
- Center for Drug Clinical Research, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruifen Cai
- Center for Drug Clinical Research, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lujin Li
- Center for Drug Clinical Research, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingshan Zheng
- Center for Drug Clinical Research, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Hokkanen AM, Aaltonen K, Relas H, Rutanen J, Kononoff A, Taimen K, Kauppi M, Puolakka K, Trokovic N, Nordström D. Impact of TNF inhibitor medication on working ability in axial spondyloarthritis: an observational national registry-based cohort study. Rheumatol Adv Pract 2023; 7:rkad050. [PMID: 37332300 PMCID: PMC10272299 DOI: 10.1093/rap/rkad050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim was to investigate the effect of TNF inhibitor (TNFi) initiation on working ability and health-care resource utilization among axial SpA patients in a real-life setting. Methods Patients with a clinical diagnosis of non-radiographic (nr-axSpA) or radiographic axial SpA initiating their first TNFi were identified from the National Register for Antirheumatic and Biologic Treatment in Finland. Sickness absences, including sick leave and disability pension, in- and outpatient days and rehabilitation rates, 1 year before and after initiating the medication were retrieved from national registries. Factors affecting result variables were studied using multivariate regression analysis. Results Overall, 787 patients were identified. Rates of work disability days per year were 55.6 the year before treatment onset and 55.2 the year after, with significant differences between patient subgroups. The rate of sick leave decreased after starting TNFi treatment. However, the rate of disability pension continued to rise. Patients with a diagnosis of nr-axSpA experienced a decrease in overall work disability and, especially, fewer sick leaves. No sex differences were detected. Conclusion TNFi interrupts the increase in work disabled days evident during the year before its initiation. However, the overall work disability remains high. Treating patients earlier in the nr-axSpA phase, regardless of sex, appears important in maintaining the ability to work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Mari Hokkanen
- Correspondence to: Anna-Mari Hokkanen, ROB-FIN Register, Division of Rheumatology, Helsinki University Hospital, Keskussairaalankatu 7, 15850 Lahti, Finland. E-mail:
| | - Kalle Aaltonen
- Pharmaceuticals Pricing Board, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Heikki Relas
- Division of Rheumatology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jarno Rutanen
- Unit of Health Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Kirsi Taimen
- Division of Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Markku Kauppi
- Division of Rheumatology, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland
- Division of Rheumatology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kari Puolakka
- Helsinki Rheumatic Diseases and Inflammation Research Group, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nina Trokovic
- ROB-FIN Register, Division of Rheumatology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dan Nordström
- ROB-FIN Register, Division of Rheumatology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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Adami G, Idolazzi L, Benini C, Fracassi E, Carletto A, Viapiana O, Gatti D, Rossini M, Fassio A. Secukinumab retention rate is greater in patients with psoriatic arthritis presenting with axial involvement. Reumatismo 2023; 75. [PMID: 37154254 DOI: 10.4081/reumatismo.2023.1559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory disease characterized by peripheral and axial involvement. Biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) are the mainstream treatment for PsA and bDMARDs retention rate is a proxy for the drug's overall effectiveness. However, it is unclear whether IL-17 inhibitors can have a higher retention rate than tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, in particular in axial or peripheral PsA. A real-life observational study was conducted on bDMARD naïve PsA patients initiating TNF inhibitors or secukinumab. Time-to-switch analysis was carried out with Kaplan-Meyer curves (log-rank test) truncated at 3 years (1095 days). Sub-analyses of Kaplan-Meyer curves between patients presenting with prevalent peripheral PsA or prevalent axial PsA were also conducted. Cox regression models were employed to describe predictors of treatment switch/swap. Data on 269 patients with PsA naïve to bDMARD starting either TNF inhibitors (n=220) or secukinumab (n=48) were retrieved. The overall treatment retention at 1 and 2 years was similar for secukinumab and TNF inhibitors (log-rank test p NS). We found a trend towards significance in the Kaplan-Meyer at 3 years in favor of secukinumab (log-rank test p 0.081). Predominant axial disease was significantly associated with a higher chance of drug survival in secukinumab users (adjusted hazard ratio 0.15, 95% confidence interval = 0.04-0.54) but not in TNF inhibitor users. In this real-life, single-center, study on bDMARD naïve PsA patients, axial involvement was associated with longer survival of secukinumab but not of TNF inhibitors. Drug retention of secukinumab and TNF inhibitors were similar in predominantly peripheral PsA.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Adami
- Rheumatology Unit, University of Verona.
| | - L Idolazzi
- Rheumatology Unit, University of Verona.
| | - C Benini
- Rheumatology Unit, University of Verona.
| | - E Fracassi
- Rheumatology Unit, University of Verona.
| | - A Carletto
- Rheumatology Unit, University of Verona.
| | - O Viapiana
- Rheumatology Unit, University of Verona.
| | - D Gatti
- Rheumatology Unit, University of Verona.
| | - M Rossini
- Rheumatology Unit, University of Verona.
| | - A Fassio
- Rheumatology Unit, University of Verona.
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Atzeni F, Carriero A, Boccassini L, D’Angelo S. Anti-IL-17 Agents in the Treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis. Immunotargets Ther 2021; 10:141-153. [PMID: 33977094 PMCID: PMC8104974 DOI: 10.2147/itt.s259126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) describes a group of chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases primarily involving the axial skeleton. IL-17 is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory arthritis. Until a few years ago, the only biological agents licensed for the treatment of axSpA and nr-axSpA were TNF inhibitors. However, as some patients did not respond to TNF inhibition or experienced secondary failure, the introduction of the first two IL-17 inhibitors (secukinumab [SEC] and ixekizumab [IXE]) has extended the treatment options, and there are now three others (bimekizumab, brodalumab and netakimab) in various stages of clinical development. The last ten years have seen the development of a number of therapeutic recommendations that aimed at improving the management of axSpA patients. The aim of this narrative review of the published literature concerning the role of IL-17 in the pathogenesis of SpA, and the role of IL-17 inhibitors in the treatment of axSpA, is to provide a comprehensive picture of the clinical efficacy and safety of the drugs themselves, and the treatment strategies recommended in the international guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Atzeni
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonio Carriero
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), Rheumatology Department of Lucania, San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza, Italy
- Translational and Clinical Medicine, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Laura Boccassini
- Rheumatology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, University School of Medicine, Milan, Italy
| | - Salvatore D’Angelo
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), Rheumatology Department of Lucania, San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza, Italy
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Fragoulis GE, Siebert S. Treatment strategies in axial spondyloarthritis: what, when and how? Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 59:iv79-iv89. [PMID: 33053192 PMCID: PMC7566463 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been major advances in the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) with the introduction of effective biologic agents targeting TNF and IL-17A. Clinicians now have more choice but, despite treatment recommendations, are still faced with significant uncertainty when deciding on the optimal treatment strategy for an individual patient in clinical practice. Management of axSpA typically requires both non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions. NSAIDs remain the first line drug therapies for axSpA with proven efficacy for symptomatic management but uncertainty remains regarding their optimal long-term use relating to radiographic progression and safety in axSpA. To-date there are no head-to-head trials of biologics in axSpA. Clinicians need to consider other factors, including extra-articular manifestations, comorbidities, safety and radiographic progression when deciding on which biologic to recommend for an individual patient. This article will explore the evidence relating to these factors and highlight areas of unmet need.
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Affiliation(s)
- George E Fragoulis
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Laiko' General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stefan Siebert
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Wang P, Zhang S, Hu B, Liu W, Lv X, Chen S, Shao Z. Efficacy and safety of interleukin-17A inhibitors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Rheumatol 2021; 40:3053-3065. [PMID: 33432451 PMCID: PMC8289786 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-020-05545-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
To assess the efficacy and safety of interleukin (IL)-17A inhibitors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched up to 5 February 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy and safety of IL-17A inhibitors in patients with AS. We used a meta-analytic approach to perform a random effects analysis or fixed effects analysis according to heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses between studies included medication, time to primary endpoint, and data source. Odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs) were used to assess the efficacy and safety of IL-17A inhibitors in AS. A total of ten RCTs with 2613 patients were eligible for inclusion in the analysis (six for secukinumab, two for ixekizumab, one for netakimab, and one for bimekizumab). Compared to placebo, IL-17A inhibitors improved ASAS20 response rate (OR = 2.58; p < 0.01) and ASAS40 response rate (OR = 2.80; p < 0.01), and significantly increased the risk of AEs (OR = 1.23; p = 0.03) and nasopharyngitis (OR = 1.72; p < 0.01), but not SAEs (OR = 0.87; p = 0.60). IL-17A inhibitors demonstrated better efficacy in patients with AS in several evaluation indicators. However, the safety of IL-17A inhibitors remains to be further studied in studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Binwu Hu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Weijian Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiao Lv
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Songfeng Chen
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Zengwu Shao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China.
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Glintborg B, Lindstrom U, Di Giuseppe D, Provan SA, Gudbjornsson B, Hetland ML, Michelsen B, Wallman J, Aaltonen K, Hokkanen A, Nordström D, Jørgensen TS, Hansen RL, Jon Geirsson A, Grøn K, krogh NS, Askling J, Kristensen LE, Jacobsson L. One‐year treatment outcomes of secukinumab versus tumor necrosis factor inhibitors in Spondyloarthritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2020; 74:748-758. [DOI: 10.1002/acr.24523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bente Glintborg
- DANBIO and Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE) Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases Centre of Head and Orthopedics, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Ulf Lindstrom
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Daniela Di Giuseppe
- Clinical Epidemiology Division Department of Medicine Solna Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | | | - Bjorn Gudbjornsson
- Centre for Rheumatology Research, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine University of Iceland Iceland
| | - Merete Lund Hetland
- DANBIO and Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE) Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases Centre of Head and Orthopedics, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Brigitte Michelsen
- Department of Rheumatology and Research Diakonhjemmet Hospital Oslo Norway
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine Sørlandet Sykehus Kristiansand Norway
| | - Johan Wallman
- Clinical Sciences Lund, Rheumatology Lund University, Skane University Hospital Lund Sweden
| | - Kalle Aaltonen
- Pharmaceuticals Pricing Board Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Helsinki Finland
| | - Anna‐Mari Hokkanen
- Department of Medicine Helsinki University and Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki Finland
| | - Dan Nordström
- Department of Medicine and Rheumatology Helsinki University and Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki Finland
| | - Tanja Schjødt Jørgensen
- The Parker Institute Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Rebekka Lund Hansen
- The Parker Institute Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Copenhagen Denmark
| | | | - Kathrine Grøn
- DANBIO and Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE) Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases Centre of Head and Orthopedics, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen Denmark
| | | | - Johan Askling
- Clinical Epidemiology Division Department of Medicine Solna Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Lars Erik Kristensen
- The Parker Institute Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Lennart Jacobsson
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
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Le QA, Kang JH, Lee S, Delevry D. Cost-Effectiveness of Treatment Strategies with Biologics in Accordance with Treatment Guidelines for Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Patient-Level Model. J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2020; 26:1219-1231. [PMID: 32996395 PMCID: PMC10391255 DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2020.26.10.1219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a form of rheumatic disease caused by chronic inflammation of the axial skeleton. Patients with AS experience significant functional limitations and reduced quality of life. Consequently, AS imposes a substantial economic burden on society due to productivity loss and work disability. Biologics, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and human anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody (IL-17A) agents, are effective treatment strategies in relieving symptoms and slowing down disease progression. Currently, 5 TNF inhibitors and 2 IL-17A antibody agents are approved by the FDA for the management of AS. Of these agents, there is no clear preferred agent in initial biologic therapy, although an IL-17A antibody agent or alternative TNF inhibitor agent is recommended after failure of the initial TNF inhibitor therapy. OBJECTIVE To assess cost-effectiveness of treatment strategies with biologics, TNF inhibitor or IL-17A, in accordance with the treatment guidelines for patients with AS. METHODS An economic patient-level simulation combining decision-tree and Markov models was constructed from the U.S. health care payer's perspective over a 10-year time horizon. The current model examined 5 treatment strategies: (1) conventional care treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, (2) 1 TNF inhibitor, (3) an IL-17A antibody agent, (4) sequential therapy with 2 TNF inhibitors, and (5) sequential therapy with a TNF inhibitor followed by an IL-17A antibody agent. Initially, treatment responses were determined after 12-week treatments. Patients who responded to treatment entered a "responders" Markov model. Patients entered a "nonresponders" Markov model if they inadequately responded to treatment. In sequential treatment strategies, patients who inadequately responded to treatment with the first TNF inhibitor received a second TNF inhibitor or an IL-17A antibody agent. Health utility was estimated based on the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Functional Index (BASFI) scores. The models accounted for real-world adherence to TNF inhibitor treatment. Scenario and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness and uncertainty of the model results. RESULTS Over a 10-year time horizon and 100,000 simulated patients for each treatment strategy, base-case results produced average total discounted per-patient costs of $19,765, $130,302, $159,934, $190,553, and $179,118 and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of 4.675, 5.410, 5.499, 5.919, and 5.893 for conventional care, treatment strategies with 1 TNF inhibitor, an IL-17A, 2 TNF inhibitors, and a TNF inhibitor followed by an IL-17A, respectively. The optimal treatments at willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds ≤ $130,813 per QALY, between $130,813 per QALY and $442,728 per QALY, and > $442,728 per QALY were conventional care and sequential treatment strategies with 1 TNF inhibitor, followed by an IL-17A agent and 2 TNF inhibitors, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Study findings suggested that all treatment strategies with biologics, TNF inhibitors or IL-17A antibody agents, in the treatment guidelines for AS were not cost-effective at the common WTP of $100,000 per QALY. However, the sequential treatment with 1 TNF inhibitor followed by an IL-17A antibody agent was considered cost-effective at a higher WTP of $150,000 per QALY. DISCLOSURES No outside funding supported this study. The authors have nothing to disclose. Primary findings of this study were presented in part at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) in Baltimore, MD, May 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quang A. Le
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California
| | - Jenny H. Kang
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California
| | - Sun Lee
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina
| | - Dimittri Delevry
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California
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