The impact of willingness-to-pay threshold on price reduction recommendations for oncology drugs: a review of assessments conducted by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Since late 2020, the Canadian Agency of Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) has been using a threshold of $50,000 (CAD) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) for both oncology and non-oncology drugs. When used for oncology products, this threshold is hypothesized to have a higher impact on the time to access these drugs in Canada. We studied the impact of price reductions on time to engagement and negotiation with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance for oncology drugs reviewed by CADTH between January 2020 and December 2022. Overall, 103 assessments reported data on price reductions recommended by CADTH to meet the cost-effectiveness threshold for reimbursement. Of these assessments, 57% (59/103) recommendations included a price reduction of greater than 70% off the list price. Eight percent (8/103) were not cost-effective even at a 100% price reduction. Of the 47 assessments that had a clear benefit, in 21 (45%) CADTH recommended a price reduction of at least 70%. The median time to price negotiation (not including time to engagement) for assessments that received at least 70% vs >70% price reduction was 2.6 vs 4.8 months. This study showed that there is a divergence between drug sponsor's incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and CADTH revised ICER leading to a price reduction to meet the $50,000/QALY threshold. For the submissions with clear clinical benefit the median length of engagement (2.5 vs 3.3 months) and median length of negotiation (3.1 vs 3.6 months) were slightly shorter compared with the submissions where uncertainties were noted in the clinical benefit according to CADTH. This study shows that using a $50,000 per QALY threshold for oncology products potentially impacts timely access to life saving medications.

Cost-effectiveness analysis 3L of axicabtagene ciloleucel vs tisagenlecleucel and lisocabtagene maraleucel in Japan

Aim: Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) was performed to compare axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) with tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel) and lisocabtagene (liso-cel) for treatment of relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma in adult patients after ≥2 lines of therapy in Japan. Materials & methods: Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using the partition survival mixture cure model based on the ZUMA-1 trial and adjusted to the JULIET and TRANSCEND trials using matching-adjusted indirect comparisons. Results & conclusion: Axi-cel was associated with greater incremental life years (3.13 and 2.85) and incremental quality-adjusted life-years (2.65 and 2.24), thus generated lower incremental direct medical costs (-$976.29 [-¥137,657] and -$242.00 [-¥34,122]), compared with tisa-cel and liso-cel. Axi-cel was cost-effective option compared with tisa-cel and liso-cel from a Japanese payer's perspective.

Understanding economic analysis and cost-effectiveness of CT scan-guided, 3-dimensional, robotic-arm assisted lower extremity arthroplasty: a systematic review

Aim: The overall goal of this review was to examine the cost-utility of robotic-arm assisted surgery versus manual surgery. Methods: We performed a systematic review of all health economic studies that compared CT-based robotic-arm assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty with manual techniques. The papers selected focused on various cost-utility measures. In addition, where appropriate, secondary aims encompassed various clinical outcomes (e.g., readmissions, discharges to subacute care, etc.). Only articles directly comparing CT-based robotic-arm assisted joint arthroplasty with manual joint arthroplasty were included, for a resulting total of 21 reports. Results: Almost all twenty-one studies demonstrated a positive effect of CT scan-guided robotic-assisted joint arthroplasty on health economic outcomes. For studies reporting on 90-day episodes of costs, 10 out of 12 found lower costs in the robotic-arm assisted groups. Conclusion: Robotic-arm assisted joint arthroplasty patients had shorter lengths of stay and cost savings based on their 90-day episodes of care, among other metrics. Payors would likely benefit from encouraging the use of this CT-based robotic technology.

Cost-effectiveness of switching from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate to tenofovir alafenamide versus entecavir for chronic hepatitis B patients in Greece

Aim: This study assessed the clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of switching from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) to either tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) or entecavir (ETV) in a Greek chronic hepatitis B (CHB) population. Patients & methods: A Markov model from the perspective of a third-party payer in Greece quantified the health and economic benefits of switching from TDF to either TAF or ETV over a lifetime horizon. Results: Over a lifetime, patients who switch from TDF to TAF versus patients who switch from TDF to ETV had an overall lower incidence of compensated cirrhosis (0.4% lower), decompensated cirrhosis (0.04% lower) and hepatocellular carcinoma (0.25% lower). Chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease were also lower in patients who switch to TAF; major osteoporotic fractures were similar for both groups. While total costs were higher for switching from TDF to TAF versus TDF to ETV due to the higher cost of TAF, switching from TDF to TAF versus ETV was cost effective with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €17,113 per quality-adjusted life year. Conclusion: Switching from TDF to TAF in patients living with CHB is a cost effective strategy to reduce adverse liver disease outcomes, while improving bone- and renal-related safety outcomes.

Cost-effectiveness analysis for avelumab first-line maintenance treatment of advanced urothelial carcinoma in Scotland

Aim: The cost-effectiveness of avelumab first-line maintenance treatment for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma in Scotland was assessed. Materials & methods: A partitioned survival model was developed comparing avelumab plus best supportive care (BSC) versus BSC alone, incorporating JAVELIN Bladder 100 trial data, costs from national databases and published literature and clinical expert validation of assumptions. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was estimated using lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALY). Results: Avelumab plus BSC had incremental costs of £9446 and a QALY gain of 0.63, leading to a base-case (deterministic) ICER of £15,046 per QALY gained, supported by robust sensitivity analyses. Conclusion: Avelumab first-line maintenance is likely to be a cost-effective treatment for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma in Scotland.

Smart connected insulin dose monitoring technologies versus standard of care: a Canadian cost-effectiveness analysis

Aim: There is growing interest in novel insulin management systems that improve glycemic control. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of smart connected insulin re-usable pens or caps for disposable insulin pens versus pens without connected capabilities in the management of adult patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) from a Canadian societal perspective. Materials & methods: The IQVIA Core Diabetes Model was utilized to conduct the analyses. Applying data from a non-interventional study, the connected insulin device arm was assumed to result in greater reductions (-0.67%) in glycated hemoglobin from baseline and fewer non-severe hypoglycemic events (-32.87 events/patient annually). Macro- and micro-vascular risks were predicted using the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study data. Direct and indirect costs and utilities were sourced from literature. Key model outcomes included life years and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Both costs and effects were annually discounted at 1.5% over a 60-year time horizon. Uncertainty was explored in scenario and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA). Results: The connected insulin pen device was associated with lower mean discounted total costs (CAD221,943 vs 266,199; -CAD44,256), improvement in mean life expectancy (25.78 vs 24.29; +1.49 years) and gains in QALYs (18.48 vs 16.74; +1.75 QALYs) over the patient's lifetime. Most scenario analyses confirmed the base case results. The PSA showed dominance in 99.5% of cases. Conclusion: For adults with T1DM in Canada, a connected insulin pen device is likely to be a cost-effective treatment option associated with greater clinical benefits and lower costs relative to a standard re-usable or disposable pen.

Cost-effectiveness of obinutuzumab plus bendamustine in Chinese patients with relapse and refractory follicular lymphoma

A decision analytic model was constructed to assess the cost-effectiveness of obinutuzumab plus bendamustine followed by obinutuzumab maintenance therapy (O-B-O) in Chinese patients with relapsed and refractory follicular lymphoma (rrFL). O-B-O was associated with a dominant or more favorable cost-effectiveness than the conventional therapies. Survival outcomes, quality of life of progression-free survival, and subsequent treatment costs for progressive disease were the main drivers of the cost-effectiveness of O-B-O. The cost-effectiveness proportions of O-B-O relative to conventional therapies under the recommended cost-effectiveness threshold ranged from 61.0% to 99.9%. Thus, O-B-O was highly cost-effective for treating patients with rrFL in China compared with conventional therapies.

Cost-effectiveness of BTK inhibitors vs bendamustine and rituximab in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients

Background: We aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of bruton tyrosine kinase inhibors (BTKis) versus bendamustine-rituximab (R-bendamustine) as a first-line treatment for Chinese patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Methods: A partitioned survival model was constructed using TreeAge Pro 2022 software and transition probabilities were estimated from the reported survival probabilities using parametric survival modeling. One-way analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to explore the uncertainty of the modeling results. In addition, several scenario analyses were evaluated. Results: In comparison to R-bendamustine, zanubrutinib had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER; life years) and ICER (quality-adjusted life years) of US$12,173.38 and $17,983.40, respectively. While ibrutinib had a higher ICER relative to R-bendamustine. Conclusion: Zanubrutinib was cost-effective for patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia in China.

Cost-effectiveness of weekly gastro-resistant risedronate 35 mg, compared with weekly alendronate 70 mg tablets, in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in Spain

Aim: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of treating postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) with weekly gastro-resistant risedronate 35 mg gastro-resistant tablets (RIS-GR), compared with weekly alendronate 70 mg tablets (ALN) in Spain. Methods: A probabilistic analysis (second-order Monte Carlo simulation) was performed with a time horizon of 5 years, from the perspective of the Spanish National Health System. The bone fracture probabilities were obtained from a cohort study of 3614 women from USA with PMO treated with RIS-GR (1807) or ALN (1807) (Thomasius, 2022). The pharmacological cost and the cost of fractures were obtained from Spanish sources (€ 2022). The utilities of patients with and without fracture (quality-adjusted life years [QALYs]) were obtained from the medical literature. Results: Compared with ALN, treatment with RIS-GR can avoid 79 fractures (between 75 and 82) every 1000 patients treated, and 0.0119 QALYs would be gained (between 0.0098 and 0.0140) per patient. Additionally, GR-RIS would generate a cost saving per patient of €1994 (€1437-2904) with a probability of 99.7%. The scenario analyses confirmed the stability of the base case results. Conclusion: According to this study, RIS-GR would be the dominant treatment (lower costs with QALY gain) compared with ALN.

The cost-effectiveness of pegcetacoplan in complement treatment-naïve adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in the USA

Aim: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare blood disorder characterized by hemolytic anemia, bone marrow failure and thrombosis, and is associated with high healthcare burden. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of pegcetacoplan, a proximal complement-3 inhibitor (C3i), compared with the C5i, eculizumab and ravulizumab, in complement treatment-naive adults with PNH, from the US healthcare payer perspective. Materials & methods: A de novo cost-effectiveness model based on a Markov cohort structure evaluated lifetime (55-year) PNH costs and outcomes. The 6-month cycles of the model reflected the follow-up period of PRINCE (NCT04085601), an open-label trial of pegcetacoplan compared with eculizumab in C5i-naive patients. Data from PRINCE informed the clinical, safety and health-related quality of life outcomes in the model. Results: Pegcetacoplan was associated with lifetime cost savings of USD1,176,808 and USD213,062 relative to eculizumab and ravulizumab, respectively (largely attributed to reduced drug costs and blood transfusions), and additional quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of 0.25 and 0.24. Conclusion: In patients with PNH who are treatment-naive, the base-case cost-effectiveness analysis, scenario analysis and sensitivity analysis showed both lifetime cost savings and increased QALYs associated with pegcetacoplan compared with eculizumab or ravulizumab in the USA.

Cost-effectiveness of camrelizumab plus chemotherapy in advanced squamous non-small-cell lung cancer

Objectives: A cost-effectiveness study of camrelizumab plus chemotherapy for advanced squamous non-small-cell lung cancer in China was conducted versus chemotherapy alone. Methods: Survival data were derived from CameL-Sq. Cost-effectiveness is indicated by an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) less than the willingness-to-pay threshold. The partitioned survival model stability was assessed by sensitivity analyses. Results: With camrelizumab plus chemotherapy, quality-adjusted life years increased by 0.83, and cost increased by $21,259/patient versus chemotherapy. The ICER was $25,674/quality-adjusted life year. The probability of cost-effectiveness was >90% regardless of PD-L1 expression level. Regardless of the variation in each parameter across a wide range, the ICER never transcended the willingness to pay. Conclusion: Camrelizumab plus chemotherapy is a cost-effective first-line treatment for advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer in China.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Pharmacist Adherence Interventions in People Living with HIV/AIDS in Pakistan

Background: Evidence has shown the positive impact of pharmacist involvement on the adherence and health outcomes of people living with HIV/AIDS. However, whether such intervention provides value for money remains unclear. This study aims to fill this gap by assessing the cost-effectiveness of pharmacist interventions in HIV care in Pakistan. Methods: A Markov decision analytic model was constructed, considering clinical inputs, utility data, and cost data obtained from a randomized controlled trial and an HIV cohort of Pakistani origin. The analysis was conducted from a healthcare perspective, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated and presented for the year 2023. Additionally, a series of sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. Results: Pharmacist intervention resulted in higher quality-adjusted life years (4.05 vs. 2.93) and likewise higher annual intervention costs than usual care (1979 USD vs. 429 USD) (532,894 PKR vs. 115,518 PKR). This yielded the ICER of 1383 USD/quality-adjusted life years (QALY) (372,406 PKR/QALY), which is well below the willingness-to-pay threshold of 1658 USD (446,456 PKR/QALY) recommended by the World Health Organization Choosing Interventions that are Cost-Effective. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis reported that more than 68% of iterations were below the lower limit of threshold. Sensitivity analysis reported intervention cost is the most important parameter influencing the ICER the most. Conclusion: The study suggests that involving pharmacists in HIV care could be a cost-effective approach. These findings could help shape healthcare policies and plans, possibly making pharmacist interventions a regular part of care for people with HIV in Pakistan.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of serplulimab as first-line treatment for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of serplulimab as first-line treatment for patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system. Materials & methods: A partitioned survival model was created to evaluate costs and health outcomes. The model's robustness was evaluated using one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Results: Serplulimab demonstrated an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $104,537.375/quality-adjusted life-year in the overall population group. Subgroup analysis showed that serplulimab had incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of $261,750.496/quality-adjusted life-year and $68,107.997/quality-adjusted life-year in the populations with PD-L1 1 ≤ combined positive score <10 and PD-L1 combined positive score ≥10, respectively. Conclusion: Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of serplulimab therapy were found to exceed the willingness-to-pay threshold of $37,304.34. Thus, serplulimab is not cost-effective compared with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Cost-effectiveness of ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft for the treatment of polycythemia vera

Aim: Patients with polycythemia vera (PV), a rare and chronic blood cancer, are at a higher risk for thromboembolic events, progression to myelofibrosis, and leukemic transformation. In 2021, ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft (BESREMi®) was approved in the US to treat adults with PV. The purpose of this study is to estimate the cost-effectiveness of ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft, used as a first- or second-line treatment, for the treatment of patients with PV in the US. Materials & methods: A Markov cohort model was developed from the healthcare system perspective in the United States. Model inputs were informed by the PROUD-PV and CONTINUATION-PV studies and published literature. The model population included both low-risk and high-risk patients with PV. The model compared ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft used either as first- or second-line versus an alternative treatment pathway of first-line hydroxyurea followed by ruxolitinib. Results: Over the modeled lifetime, ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft provided an additional 0.4 higher quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and 0.4 life-years with an added cost of USD60,175, resulting in a cost per QALY of USD141,783. The model was sensitive to treatment costs, the percentage of patients who discontinue hydroxyurea, the percentage of ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft users who switch to monthly dosing, the percentage of ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft users as 2nd line treatment, and the treatment response rates. A younger patient age at baseline and a higher percentage of patients with low-risk disease improved the cost-effectiveness of ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft. Conclusion: Ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft is a cost-effective treatment option for a broad range of patients with PV, including both low- and high-risk patients and patients with and without prior cytoreductive treatment with hydroxyurea.

Healthcare resources and costs associated with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in Spain: apixaban versus acenocoumarol

Aim: Healthcare resources usage and costs associated to nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) were analyzed in Spain. Methods: This is an observational and retrospective study on patients with NVAF who started their treatment with apixaban or acenocoumarol between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2017. Results: 2160 patients treated with apixaban were paired (1:1) with patients treated with acenocoumarol (propensity score matching). Apixaban reduced the incidence of strokes and systemic embolisms, minor and major bleedings and deaths, versus acenocoumarol. Apixaban led to reductions of 80, 55 and 43% in costs related to nursing visits, hospitalizations, and emergency visits, respectively, leading to annual cost savings of €274/patient, from the perspective of society. Conclusion: Our results suggested that apixaban is a cost-effective alternative for patients with NVAF.

Cost-effectiveness of HLA-B*58:01 testing to prevent Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis in Vietnam

Background: HLA-B*58:01 is strongly associated with allopurinol-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) in Vietnam. This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of this testing to prevent SJS/TEN. Methods: A model was developed to compare three strategies: no screening, use allopurinol; HLA-B*58:01 screening; and no screening, use probenecid. A willingness-to-pay of three-times gross domestic product per capita was used. Results: Compared with 'no screening, use allopurinol', 'screening' increased quality-adjusted life-years by 0.0069 with the incremental cost of Vietnam dong (VND) 14,283,633 (US$617), yielding an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of VND 2,070,459,122 (US$89,398) per quality-adjusted life-year. Therefore, 'screening' was unlikely to be cost-effective under the current willingness-to-pay. Testing's cost-effectiveness may change with targeted high-risk patients, reimbursed febuxostat or lower probenecid prices. Conclusion: The implementation of nationwide HLAB*58:01 testing before the use of allopurinol is not cost-effective, according to this analysis. This may be due to the lack of quality data on the effectiveness of testing and costing data in the Vietnamese population.

Budget impact and transferability of cost-effectiveness of DPYD testing in metastatic breast cancer in three health systems

The cost-effectiveness and budget impact of introducing extended DPYD testing prior to fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer patients in the UK, The Netherlands and Hungary were examined. DPYD testing with ToxNav© was cost-effective in all three countries. In the UK and The Netherlands, the ToxNav strategy led to more quality-adjusted life years and fewer costs to the health systems compared with no genetic testing and standard dosing of capecitabine/5-fluorouracil. In Hungary, the ToxNav strategy produced more quality-adjusted life years at a higher cost compared with no testing and standard dose. The ToxNav strategy was found to offer budget savings in the UK and in The Netherlands, while in Hungary it resulted in additional budget costs.

Cost-effectiveness and budget impact analysis of screening strategies for maturity-onset diabetes of the young in three European countries

Background: Correct diagnosis of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), which is often misdiagnosed as Type 1 or 2 diabetes, is important for providing appropriate treatment. Materials & Methods: A diabetes model was adapted to Hungary, the Netherlands, and the UK to analyse the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of different screening strategies for MODY with 20 years time horizon. Results: Compared with no screening, screening with the MODY calculator then genetic testing is considered cost-effective with respect to each country's willingness to pay threshold. The addition of autoantibody testing dominated the no screening strategy. The budget impact of the strategies ranges between 0.001 and 0.025% of annual public healthcare spending. Conclusion: The analysed strategies are considered good value for money with potential cost savings in the long term.

Cost-effectiveness of genetic-based screening strategies for maturity-onset diabetes of the young

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is often misdiagnosed as Type I or II diabetes. This study was designed to assess the cost-effectiveness of MODY screening strategies in Hungary, which included a recent genetic test compared with no routine screening for MODY. A simulation model that combined a decision tree and an individual-level Markov model was constructed to assess the costs per quality-adjusted life year of screening strategies. Stratifying patients based on age and insulin treatment followed by a risk assessment questionnaire, a laboratory test and genetic testing was the most cost-effective strategy, saving EUR 12 and generating 0.0047 quality-adjusted life years gained per screened patient. This screening strategy could be considered for reimbursement, especially in countries with limited resources.

Lessons learned from the application of the HEcoPerMed guidance to three modeling case studies

Background: The HEcoPerMed consortium developed a methodological guidance for the harmonization and improvement of economic evaluations in personalized medicine. Materials & methods: In three therapeutic areas, health economic models were developed to scrutinize the recommendations of the guidance. Results: Altogether, 20 of the 23 recommendations of the guidance were addressed by the models. Seven recommendations were applied in all studies, six in two of the studies and seven in one of the studies. Recommendations with an essential role on the final conclusions of the analyses were identified in each study. Conclusion: The guidance was found to be best used as a tool to identify and prioritize issues, verify solutions and justify decisions during the economic analysis of personalized interventions.

A real-world comparison of the clinical and economic utility of OVA1 and CA125 in assessing ovarian tumor malignancy risk

Aim: This largest-of-its-kind study evaluated the clinical utility of CA125 and OVA1, commonly used as ovarian tumor markers for assessing the risk of malignancy. The research focused on the ability and utility of these tests to reliably predict patients at low risk for ovarian cancer. Clinical utility endpoints were 12-month maintenance of benign mass status, reduction in gynecologic oncologist referral, avoidable surgical intervention and associated cost savings. Materials & methods: This was a multicenter retrospective review of data from electronic medical records and administrative claims databases. Patients receiving a CA125 or OVA1 test between October 2018 and September 2020 were identified and followed for 12 months using site-specific electronic medical records to assess tumor status and utilization outcomes. Propensity score adjustment was used to control for confounding variables. Payer allowed amounts from Merative MarketScan Research Databases were used to estimate 12-month episode-of-care costs per patient, including surgery and other interventions. Results: Among 290 low-risk OVA1 patients, 99.0% remained benign for 12 months compared with 97.2% of 181 low-risk CA125 patients. The OVA1 cohort exhibited 75% lower odds of surgical intervention in the overall sample of patients (Adjusted OR: 0.251, p ≤ 0.0001), and 63% lower odds of gynecologic oncologist utilization among premenopausal women (Adjusted OR: 0.37, p = 0.0390) versus CA125. OVA1 demonstrated significant savings in surgical interventions ($2486, p ≤ 0.0001) and total episode-of-care costs ($2621, p ≤ 0.0001) versus CA125. Conclusion: This study underscores the utility of a reliably predictive multivariate assay for assessing ovarian cancer risk. For patients assessed at low risk of ovarian tumor malignancy, OVA1 is associated with a significant reduction in avoidable surgeries and substantial cost savings per patient. OVA1 is also associated with a significant reduction in subspecialty referrals for low-risk premenopausal patients.

Cost-effectiveness of adjuvant atezolizumab for patients with stage II-IIIA PD-L1+ non-small-cell lung cancer

Aim: Atezolizumab improved disease-free survival (DFS) versus best supportive care (BSC) as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for stage II-IIIA PD-L1+ NSCLC in IMpower010. Materials & methods: This cost-effectiveness study evaluated atezolizumab versus BSC (US commercial payer perspective) using a Markov model with DFS, locoregional recurrence, first- and second-line metastatic recurrence and death health states, and a lifetime time horizon with 3% annual discounting. Results: Atezolizumab provided 1.045 additional quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) at an incremental cost of $48,956, yielding an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $46,859/QALY. Scenario analysis showed similar findings in a Medicare population ($48,512/QALY). Conclusion: At a willingness-to-pay threshold of $150,000/QALY and an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $46,859/QALY, atezolizumab is cost-effective versus BSC for adjuvant NSCLC treatment.

Preparation and characterization of amoxapine- and naringin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles: drug-release and molecular-docking studies

Aim: Amoxapine (AMX) has been reported to be metabolized by CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. Naringin (NG) has been reported to inhibit CYP enzymes. Therefore, the current work was designed to develop AMX solid lipid nanoparticles (AMX-SLNs) and NG-SLNs for better therapeutic performance. Materials & methods: AMX-SLNs and NG-SLNs were prepared and characterized. AMX and NG interactions with CYP450s were studied with molecular docking to rationalize the effectiveness of the combination. Results: AMX-SLNs and NG-SLNs showed nanometric size with a sustained in vitro drug-release profile. NG showed a higher predicted binding affinity for CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, suggesting the potential for inhibition. Conclusion: The developed formulations were thoroughly characterized along with molecular docking data indicating promising AMX and NG combinations that may show good therapeutic activity.

Cost-effectiveness of overactive bladder treatments from a US commercial and payer perspective

Aim: The cost-effectiveness of treatment options (anticholinergics, β3-adrenoceptor agonists, onabotulinumtoxinA, sacral nerve stimulation and percutaneous tibial stimulation [the latter two including new rechargeable neurostimulators]) for the management of overactive bladder (OAB) were compared with best supportive care (BSC) using a previously published Markov model. Materials & methods: Cost-effectiveness was evaluated over a 15-year time horizon, and sensitivity analyses were performed using 2- and 5-year horizons. Discontinuation rates, resource utilization, and costs were derived from published sources. Results: Using Medicare and commercial costs over a 15-year time period, onabotulinumtoxinA 100U had incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) gained of $39,591/quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) and $42,255/QALY, respectively, versus BSC, which were the lowest ICERs of all assessed treatments. The sensitivity analyses at 2- and 5-year horizons also showed onabotulinumtoxinA to be the most cost-effective of all assessed treatments versus BSC. Conclusion: OnabotulinumtoxinA 100U is currently the most cost-effective treatment for OAB.

Cost-effectiveness of cladribine tablets and dimethyl fumarate in the treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis in Spain

Aim: To analyze the cost-effectiveness of treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with cladribine tablets (CladT) and dimethyl fumarate (DMF) from the perspective of the Spanish National Health System (NHS). Methods: A probabilistic Markov model (second-order Monte Carlo simulation) with a 10-year time horizon and annual Markov cycles was performed. Results: CladT was the dominant treatment, with lower costs (-74,741 € [95% CI: -67,247; -85,661 €]) and greater effectiveness (0.1920 [95% CI: -0.1659; 0.2173] QALY) per patient, compared with DMF. CladT had a 95.1% probability of being cost-effective and a 94.1% chance of being dominant compared with DMF. Conclusion: CladT is the dominant treatment (lower costs, with more QALYs) compared with DMF in the treatment of RRMS in Spain.

Atezolizumab with chemotherapy in first-line treatment for metastatic urothelial cancer: a cost-effectiveness analysis

Purpose: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of atezolizumab plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC). Materials & methods: A Markov model was established for the analysis. Parametric survival models were used to fit to progression-free survival and overall survival data in the IMvigor130 study. A series of one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the model. Results: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for atezolizumab plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone were US$475,633.17 and $207,488.17 per quality-adjusted life-year in the USA and China, respectively. Utility for the progression-free survival and progressive disease states, the cost of atezolizumab had the most significant impact on the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Conclusion: Atezolizumab plus chemotherapy is not a cost-effective treatment option as a first-line treatment for metastatic urothelial cancer.

Application of quantitative bias analysis for unmeasured confounding in cost-effectiveness modelling

Due to uncertainty regarding the potential impact of unmeasured confounding, health technology assessment (HTA) agencies often disregard evidence from nonrandomized studies when considering new technologies. Quantitative bias analysis (QBA) methods provide a means to quantify this uncertainty but have not been widely used in the HTA setting, particularly in the context of cost-effectiveness modelling (CEM). This study demonstrated the application of an aggregate and patient-level QBA approach to quantify and adjust for unmeasured confounding in a simulated nonrandomized comparison of survival outcomes. Application of the QBA output within a CEM through deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses and under different scenarios of knowledge of an unmeasured confounder demonstrates the potential value of QBA in HTA.

Cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment in PD-L1-positive metastatic triple-negative breast cancer

Objective: This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab/chemotherapy combinations for previously untreated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer patients in the USA with PD-L1 combined positive score ≥10. Methods: A partitioned-survival model was developed to project health outcomes and direct medical costs over a 20-year time horizon. Efficacy and safety data were from randomized clinical trials. Comparative effectiveness of indirect comparators was assessed using network meta-analyses. A series of sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the results. Results: Pembrolizumab/chemotherapy resulted in total quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gains of 0.70 years and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of US$182,732/QALY compared with chemotherapy alone. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for pembrolizumab/nab-paclitaxel versus atezolizumab/nab-paclitaxel was US$44,157/QALY. Sensitivity analyses showed the results were robust over plausible values of model inputs. Conclusion: Pembrolizumab/chemotherapy is cost effective compared with chemotherapy as well as atezolizumab/nab-paclitaxel as first-line treatment for PD-L1-positive metastatic triple-negative breast cancer from a US payer perspective.

The cost-effectiveness, of pegcetacoplan compared with ravulizumab for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, in a UK setting

Aim: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare blood disorder characterized by hemolytic anemia, bone marrow failure and thrombosis. We evaluated, the cost-effectiveness of pegcetacoplan, a novel proximal C3 inhibitor, versus ravulizumab in patients with PNH and hemoglobin levels <10.5 g/dl despite eculizumab treatment in the UK healthcare and social services setting. Materials & methods: A Markov cohort framework model, based on the data from the pivotal trial of pegcetacoplan (PEGASUS/NCT03500549), evaluated lifetime costs and outcomes. Patients transitioned through 3 PNH hemoglobin level/red blood cell transfusion health states. Results: Pegcetacoplan provides lower lifetime costs/greater quality-adjusted life years (£6,409,166/14.694QALYs, respectively) versus ravulizumab (£6,660,676/12.942QALYs). Conclusion: Pegcetacoplan is associated with enhanced anemia control, greater QALYs and reduced healthcare costs versus ravulizumab in the UK healthcare and social services setting.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of nivolumab plus cabozantinib versus sunitinib as first-line therapy in advanced renal cell carcinoma

Aim: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of first-line treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma with nivolumab plus cabozantinib versus sunitinib from a US payer perspective. Methods: Economic outcomes were estimated with Markov and partitioned survival models. Efficacy, safety and other data were taken from the CheckMate 9ER trial. Costs and utilities were gathered from published sources. Sensitivity analyses addressed model uncertainties. Results: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of nivolumab plus cabozantinib versus sunitinib was $555,663 and $531,748 per quality-adjusted life-year in the Markov and partitioned survival models, respectively, exceeding the willingness-to-pay threshold ($150,000 per quality-adjusted life-year). Sensitivity analyses showed robust outcomes. Conclusion: From a US payer perspective, first-line nivolumab plus cabozantinib for advanced renal cell carcinoma is not cost-effective.

Cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab for second-line treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with a combined positive score of 10 or more

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab compared with that of chemotherapy in the second-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients with a combined positive score ≥10. Methods: A Markov model was established to compare the lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of different treatment options. Sensitivity analysis was performed to test the stability of the model. Results: The increased utility and cost of pembrolizumab were 0.442 QALYs and US$11,826.79 compared with those of chemotherapy. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was US$26,757.45/QALY, which was less than the threshold of three-times the GDP per capita. The prices of paclitaxel and pembrolizumab were the most important influencing factors. Conclusion: Pembrolizumab is a cost-effective second-line treatment of ESCC.

Cost-effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer as a second line in Taiwan

Objectives: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors versus docetaxel in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Methods: A Markov model was constructed to simulate the clinical outcomes and costs of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Clinical outcomes data were derived from randomized clinical trials. Drug acquisition cost and other health resource use were obtained from the claim data of a tertiary hospital and the National Health Insurance. The outcome was an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio expressed as cost per quality-adjusted life year gained. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the uncertainty of the model parameters. Results: In the base case, patients treated with immunotherapies in the second line were associated with higher costs and higher mean survival. The incremental costs per quality-adjusted life year gained for pembrolizumab, nivolumab, or atezolizumab compared to docetaxel were NT$416,102, NT$1,572,912 and NT$1,580,469, respectively. Conclusion: The results showed that pembrolizumab was more cost effective than nivolumab and atezolizumab compared with docetaxel as a second-line regimen for patients with previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer at willingness to pay threshold in Taiwan.

An economic evaluation of reducing colorectal cancer surveillance intensity

Aim: Analyze the impact of national implementation of 'low intensity' post-treatment colorectal cancer surveillance compared with current practices. Materials & methods: Create a population-level Markov model to estimate impacts of expansion of low versus high intensity surveillance post-treatment on healthcare utilization, costs and caregiver time loss. Results: Shifting to low intensity colorectal cancer surveillance would reduce patient burden by 301,830 h per patient annually over 5 years. Cost reductions over 5 years were US$43.5 million for Medicare and US$4.2 million for Medicaid. Total societal cost savings equaled US$104.2 million. Conclusion: National implementation of low intensity post-treatment colorectal cancer surveillance has the potential to significantly reduce burden and costs on patients and their caregivers with no added risks to health.

Cost-effectiveness of brentuximab vedotin for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Aim: To assess the cost-effectiveness of brentuximab vedotin (BV) versus physician's choice (methotrexate or bexarotene) for treating advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Materials & methods: A partitioned-survival model was developed from the National Health Service perspective in England and Wales. Model inputs were informed by the ALCANZA trial, real-world UK data, published literature or clinical experts. Results: Over the modeled lifetime, BV dominated physician's choice and provided an additional 1.58 life-years and 1.09 higher quality-adjusted life years with a net cost saving of £119,565. The net monetary benefit was £152,326 using a willingness-to-pay threshold of £30,000/quality-adjusted life year. Results were robust in sensitivity and scenario analyses. Conclusion: BV is a highly cost-effective treatment for advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

The cost-effectiveness of oral semaglutide versus empagliflozin in Type 2 diabetes in Denmark

Aim: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of oral semaglutide+metformin versus empagliflozin+metformin in people with Type 2 diabetes uncontrolled on msetformin alone. Materials and methods: The IQVIA Core Diabetes Model was populated with efficacy data from a head-to-head study between oral semaglutide+metformin and empagliflozin+metformin. Danish costs and quality-of-life data were sourced from literature. Price per day was Danish Krone (DKK) 25.53 for oral semaglutide and DKK11.40 for empagliflozin. Discounting was fixed at 4%. Scenario and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Over a lifetime, Core Diabetes Model projected 8.78 and 8.75 quality-adjusted life-years and a total cost of DKK 447,633 and DKK 387,786, thereby generating an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of DKK 1,930,548 for oral semaglutide+metformin versus empagliflozin+metformin. Scenario and sensitivity analyses showed the robustness of the outcomes. Duration of treatment with oral semaglutide is the key driver of the analyses. Conclusion: Oral semaglutide+metformin seems not cost effective versus empagliflozin+metformin in patients uncontrolled on metformin in Denmark.

Family-level impact of genetic testing: integrating health economics and ethical, legal, and social implications

Tweetable abstract Health economics and ELSI can be better integrated to consider the family impacts of genetic and genomic testing.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of empagliflozin compared with glimepiride in patients with Type 2 diabetes in China

Aim: The study assesses the cost-effectiveness of empagliflozin versus glimepiride in patients with Type 2 diabetes and uncontrolled by metformin alone in China, based on the EMPA-REG H2H-SU trial. Materials & methods: A calibrated version of the IQVIA Core Diabetes Model was used. Cost of complications and utility were taken from literature. The Chinese healthcare system perspective and 5% discounting rates were applied. Results: Empagliflozin+metformin provides additional quality-adjusted life-years (0.317) driven by a reduction in the number of cardiovascular and renal events, for an additional cost of $1382 (CNY9703) compared with glimepiride+metformin. Conclusion: Empagliflozin is cost-effective treatment versus glimepiride applying a threshold of $30,290 (CNY212,676).

Medication review with follow-up for cardiovascular outcomes: a trial based cost-utility analysis

Aim: To assess the trial-based cost-effectiveness of medication review with follow-up compared with usual care in primary care. Materials & methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial included patients if they were independent older adults, receiving five or more prescriptions, with moderate or high cardiovascular risk. Costs were estimated from the public healthcare sector perspective, and health benefits were measured as quality-adjusted life years. Both of which were used to calculate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Results: Twelve centers completed the study, six (146 patients) in the intervention group and six (145 patients) in the control group. The base-case analysis showed an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of US$ (2019) 434.4/quality-adjusted life year (95% CI 64.20-996.03). Conclusion: The intervention was cost-effective in the public primary care setting.

Cost-effectiveness of second-line nivolumab for platinum-treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Aim: To analyze the economic impact of nivolumab and chemotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who developed disease progression after platinum-containing dual-drug chemotherapy. Materials & methods: The partitioned survival model was used to analyze the cost-utility of two NSCLC treatments by nivolumab and docetaxel. The clinical data resulted from the Phase III clinical trial. The cost parameters were derived from our previous studies, and the utility parameters were derived from the literature. Results: The quality-adjusted life-years of nivolumab and docetaxel were 0.778 and 0.336. The lifetime direct medical expenses of nivolumab and docetaxel were US$44,707.17 and US$12,826.72. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $72,127.71/quality-adjusted life-year. Conclusion: The combination of chemotherapy, nivolumab is not a cost-effective choice in the second-line treatment of NSCLC.

Cost-utility analysis of selective internal radiation therapy with Y-90 resin microspheres in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: The study assessed the cost-utility of selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with Y-90 resin microspheres versus sorafenib in UK patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma ineligible for transarterial chemoembolization. Materials & methods: A lifetime partitioned survival model was developed for patients with low tumor burden (≤25%) and good liver function (albumin-bilirubin grade 1). Efficacy, safety and quality of life data were from a European Phase III randomized controlled trial and published studies. Resource use was from registries and clinical surveys. Results: Discounted quality-adjusted life-years were 1.982 and 1.381, and discounted total costs were £29,143 and 30,927, for SIRT and sorafenib, respectively. Conclusion: SIRT has the potential to be a dominant (more efficacious/less costly) or cost-effective alternative to sorafenib in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

US cost-effectiveness of polatuzumab vedotin, bendamustine and rituximab in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Aim: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of polatuzumab vedotin (pola) + bendamustine + rituximab (BR) in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma based on the GO29365 trial from a US payer's perspective. Materials & methods: A partitioned survival model used progression-free survival and overall survival data from the GO29365 trial. The base case analysis assumed overall survival was informed by progression-free survival; a mixture cure model estimated proportion of long-term survivors. Results: In the base case, pola + BR was cost-effective versus BR at US$35,864 per quality-adjusted life year gained. Probabilistic and one-way sensitivity analyses showed that the findings were robust. Conclusion: Pola + BR is cost-effective versus BR for the treatment of transplant-ineligible relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the US.

Cost-effectiveness of CYP2C19 LOF-guided antiplatelet therapy in Chinese patients with acute coronary syndrome

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of CYP2C19 loss-of-function(LOF) allele-guided antiplatelet therapy compared with the universal use of clopidogrel or ticagrelor among Chinese patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: A two-part cost-effectiveness model comprising of a 1-year decision tree and a long-term Markov model was utilized to simulate outcomes of three treatment strategies: universal use of clopidogrel (75 mg daily) or universal use of ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily for all patients and CYP2C19 LOF-guided therapy (LOF allele carriers receiving ticagrelor, LOF allele noncarriers receiving clopidogrel). Model outcomes included quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained, direct medical costs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). ICERs less than one-time gross domestic product per capita in China 59,660 yuan/QALY were considered cost-effective. Results: Base-case analysis showed 'universal ticagrelor use' was cost-effective for an ICER of 33,875 yuan per QALY gained compared with 'universal clopidogrel use' of which gained a 1.6932 QALYs at lowest life-long cost of 2450 yuan. CYP2C19 LOF-guided therapy had an effectiveness of 1.6975 QALYs at a cost of 2812 yuan, for an ICER of 84,118 yuan per QALY gained relative to 'universal clopidogrel use'. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that base-case results were significantly affected by five factors: the risk ratio of 'non-fatal myocardial infarction', 'non-fatal stroke' and 'cardiovascular death' in ticagrelor versus clopidogrel and the annual costs of clopidogrel and ticagrelor. According to the results of Monte Carlo simulation, when willing to pay is about 32,000 yuan, patients willing to receive clopidogrel or ticagrelor are approximately equal. Conclusion: Optimal antiplatelet treatment is affected by lots of factors. The results of our study demonstrated that 'universal ticagrelor use' was cost-effective compared with 'universal clopidogrel use' for Chinese acute coronary syndrome patients with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab plus axitinib as first-line therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma

Aim: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of first-line treatments for advanced renal cell carcinoma with pembrolizumab plus axitinib compared with sunitinib from the US payer perspective. Patients & methods: A Markov model was developed for this purpose. The clinical data were obtained from the KEYNOTE-426 trial. Utility values and direct costs related to the treatments were gathered from the published studies. Results: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of pembrolizumab plus axitinib versus sunitinib was $249,704 per quality-adjusted life year, which was higher than a willingness-to-pay threshold of $150,000 per quality-adjusted life year. Conclusion: Pembrolizumab plus axitinib was not considered to be cost-effective versus sunitinib as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma from the US payer perspective.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus chemotherapy as first-line treatment in advanced NSCLC

Aim: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of nivolumab plus ipilimumab (NI) in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer from a US-payer perspective. Materials & methods: We developed a Markov model to evaluate the cost and effectiveness of NI versus chemotherapy as first-line treatment of NSCLC. Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were estimated. Results: NI provided an additional 0.715 QALYs compared with chemotherapy in all population. The corresponding ICER of NI was $180,307 per QALY gained. However, the ICER decreased to $143,434 per QALY in the programmed death ligand 1 expression level <1% population. Conclusion: From a US-payer perspective, NI is estimated to be cost-effective in the first-line setting for advanced NSCLC patients with programmed death ligand 1 expression level <1%.

Cost-effectiveness of empagliflozin compared with liraglutide based on cardiovascular outcome trials in Type II diabetes

Aim: Cost-effectiveness (CE) analysis of empagliflozin+standard of care (SoC) compared with SoC and liraglutide+SoC, in patients with Type II diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, was conducted using evidence from cardiovascular outcomes trials. Methods: The IQVIA Core Diabetes Model was calibrated to predict same outcomes observed in EMPA-REG OUTCOME and LEADER trials. Three-year observed cardiovascular events of SoC, empagliflozin+SoC and liraglutide+SoC were derived from EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial and an indirect comparison. Time horizon was 50 years and the UK payer perspective was taken. Results: Empagliflozin+SoC dominated liraglutide+SoC with greater quality-adjusted life years and reduced costs. Base-case incremental CE ratio of 6428 GBP/QALY was observed for empagliflozin+SoC versus SoC. Conclusion: Results suggest that empagliflozin+SoC is cost effective versus SoC and liraglutide+SoC.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of atezolizumab plus nab-paclitaxel for untreated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer

Aim: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of atezolizumab plus nab-paclitaxel (ANP) in the first-line treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Materials & methods: We developed a Markov model to evaluate the cost and effectiveness of ANP versus nab-paclitaxel in the first-line treatment of metastatic TNBC. Lifetime costs, life-years (LYs) and quality-adjusted LYs (QALYs) were estimated. Results: ANP provided an additional 0.16 QALYs (0.24 LYs) compared with nab-paclitaxel in intention-to-treat population. The corresponding incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $786,131 per QALY gained. However, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio decreased to $361,218 per QALY gained in the PD-L1 positive subgroup analysis. Conclusion: From the perspective of a US-payer, ANP is estimated not to be cost-effective in the first-line treatment of metastatic TNBC.

Lenvatinib versus sorafenib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a cost-effectiveness analysis

Aim: To investigate the cost-effectiveness of lenvatinib and sorafenib in the treatment of patients with nonresected hepatocellular carcinoma in China. Materials & methods: Markov model was used to simulate the direct medical cost and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Clinical data were derived from the Phase 3 randomized clinical trial in a Chinese population. Results: Sorafenib treatment resulted in 1.794 QALYs at a cost of $43,780.73. Lenvatinib treatment resulted in 2.916 QALYs for patients weighing <60 and ≥60 kg at a cost of $57,049.43 and $75,900.36, The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio to the sorafenib treatment group was $11,825.94/QALY and $28,627.12/QALY, respectively. Conclusion: According to WHO's triple GDP per capita, the use of lenvatinib by providing drugs is a cost-effective strategy.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of nivolumab in the second-line treatment for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: To investigate the cost-effectiveness of nivolumab versus chemotherapy in the second-line treatment for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Materials & methods: A Markov model reflecting the patients in the ATTRACTION-3 trial was established. Weibull survival model was employed to fit the Kaplan-Meier progression-free survival and overall survival probabilities of the nivolumab and chemotherapy strategy, respectively. Meanwhile, one-way and PSA were performed to test the uncertainty in the model. Results: Overall, the incremental effectiveness and cost of nivolumab versus chemotherapy were 0.107 quality-adjusted life-years and $14,627.90, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $136,709.35/quality-adjusted life-year. Conclusion: Nivolumab is not a cost-effective treatment option compared with chemotherapy from the perspective of Chinese society.