A global analysis of the value of precision medicine in oncology – The case of non-small cell lung cancer

ObjectivesBiomarker testing is indispensable for the implementation of precision medicine (PM) in oncology. The aim of this study was to assess the value of biomarker testing from a holistic perspective based on the example of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC).Materials and methodsA parti...

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Main Authors: Thomas Hofmarcher, Chiara Malmberg, Peter Lindgren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1119506/full
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author Thomas Hofmarcher
Chiara Malmberg
Peter Lindgren
Peter Lindgren
author_facet Thomas Hofmarcher
Chiara Malmberg
Peter Lindgren
Peter Lindgren
author_sort Thomas Hofmarcher
collection DOAJ
description ObjectivesBiomarker testing is indispensable for the implementation of precision medicine (PM) in oncology. The aim of this study was to assess the value of biomarker testing from a holistic perspective based on the example of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC).Materials and methodsA partitioned survival model was populated with data from pivotal clinical trials of first-line treatments in aNSCLC. Three testing scenarios were considered; “no biomarker testing” encompassing chemotherapy treatment, “sequential testing” for EGFR and ALK encompassing treatment with targeted- or chemotherapy, and “multigene testing” covering EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, NTRK, MET, RET and encompassing treatment with targeted- or immuno(chemo)therapy. Analyses of health outcomes and costs were run for nine countries (Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Japan, Poland, South Africa, Turkey, United States). A 1-year and 5-year time horizon was applied. Information on test accuracy was combined with country-specific information on epidemiology and unit costs.ResultsCompared to the no-testing scenario, survival improved and treatment-related adverse events decreased with increased testing. Five-year survival increased from 2% to 5–7% and to 13–19% with sequential testing and multigene testing, respectively. The highest survival gains were observed in East Asia due to a higher local prevalence of targetable mutations. Overall costs increased with increased testing in all countries. Although costs for testing and medicines increased, costs for treatment of adverse events and end-of-life care decreased throughout all years. Non-health care costs (sick leave and disability pension payments) decreased during the first year but increased over a 5-year horizon.ConclusionThe broad use of biomarker testing and PM in aNSCLC leads to more efficient treatment assignment and improves health outcomes for patients globally, in particular prolonged progression-free disease phase and overall survival. These health gains require investment in biomarker testing and medicines. While costs for testing and medicines would initially increase, cost decreases for other medical services and non-health care costs may partly offset the cost increases.
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spelling doaj.art-64c871fe46f0483889a7f022c17594962023-02-20T04:41:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2023-02-011010.3389/fmed.2023.11195061119506A global analysis of the value of precision medicine in oncology – The case of non-small cell lung cancerThomas Hofmarcher0Chiara Malmberg1Peter Lindgren2Peter Lindgren3IHE–The Swedish Institute for Health Economics, Lund, SwedenIHE–The Swedish Institute for Health Economics, Lund, SwedenIHE–The Swedish Institute for Health Economics, Lund, SwedenKarolinska Institutet, Solna, SwedenObjectivesBiomarker testing is indispensable for the implementation of precision medicine (PM) in oncology. The aim of this study was to assess the value of biomarker testing from a holistic perspective based on the example of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC).Materials and methodsA partitioned survival model was populated with data from pivotal clinical trials of first-line treatments in aNSCLC. Three testing scenarios were considered; “no biomarker testing” encompassing chemotherapy treatment, “sequential testing” for EGFR and ALK encompassing treatment with targeted- or chemotherapy, and “multigene testing” covering EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, NTRK, MET, RET and encompassing treatment with targeted- or immuno(chemo)therapy. Analyses of health outcomes and costs were run for nine countries (Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Japan, Poland, South Africa, Turkey, United States). A 1-year and 5-year time horizon was applied. Information on test accuracy was combined with country-specific information on epidemiology and unit costs.ResultsCompared to the no-testing scenario, survival improved and treatment-related adverse events decreased with increased testing. Five-year survival increased from 2% to 5–7% and to 13–19% with sequential testing and multigene testing, respectively. The highest survival gains were observed in East Asia due to a higher local prevalence of targetable mutations. Overall costs increased with increased testing in all countries. Although costs for testing and medicines increased, costs for treatment of adverse events and end-of-life care decreased throughout all years. Non-health care costs (sick leave and disability pension payments) decreased during the first year but increased over a 5-year horizon.ConclusionThe broad use of biomarker testing and PM in aNSCLC leads to more efficient treatment assignment and improves health outcomes for patients globally, in particular prolonged progression-free disease phase and overall survival. These health gains require investment in biomarker testing and medicines. While costs for testing and medicines would initially increase, cost decreases for other medical services and non-health care costs may partly offset the cost increases.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1119506/fullprecision medicinepersonalized medicinemolecular diagnosticscompanion diagnostic testingcost-effectivenesssurvival
spellingShingle Thomas Hofmarcher
Chiara Malmberg
Peter Lindgren
Peter Lindgren
A global analysis of the value of precision medicine in oncology – The case of non-small cell lung cancer
Frontiers in Medicine
precision medicine
personalized medicine
molecular diagnostics
companion diagnostic testing
cost-effectiveness
survival
title A global analysis of the value of precision medicine in oncology – The case of non-small cell lung cancer
title_full A global analysis of the value of precision medicine in oncology – The case of non-small cell lung cancer
title_fullStr A global analysis of the value of precision medicine in oncology – The case of non-small cell lung cancer
title_full_unstemmed A global analysis of the value of precision medicine in oncology – The case of non-small cell lung cancer
title_short A global analysis of the value of precision medicine in oncology – The case of non-small cell lung cancer
title_sort global analysis of the value of precision medicine in oncology the case of non small cell lung cancer
topic precision medicine
personalized medicine
molecular diagnostics
companion diagnostic testing
cost-effectiveness
survival
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1119506/full
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