Cost-effectiveness analysis of advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer treatment with cisplatin–vinorelbine and carboplatin–gemcytabine combination regimens

Abstract

Objectives. The aim of the work is to perform an incremental cost-effectiveness analysis of cisplatin–vinorelbine (PN) and carboplatin–gemcytabine (KG) treatment regimens used in advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment.

Material and methods. Medical records of 99 patients with advanced stage NSCLC were collected retrospectively at the Oncology Center in Bydgoszcz. The patients were treated with one of the regimens to be analysed between 2006 and 2011. The analysis was performed from the payer’s perspective. Only direct medical costs were analysed. Costs of procedures were obtained from the hospital’s price list of medical services as of June 30th, 2012. Incremental and one-way sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results. The average cost of chemotherapy treatment with the PN treatment regimen is higher than that with the KG treatment regimen (25,342.04 PLN and 19,546.80 PLN per patient, respectively). The average survival time of NSCLC patients treated with PN and KG treatment regimens was 12.91 and 10.11 months, respectively. The cost of drugs constitutes the largest part of the total cost of NSCLC treatment with either treatment regimen. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) is 24,836.76 PLN per additional life-year gained.

Conclusion. The analysis showed that the PN treatment regimen is more cost-effective in the treatment of advanced NSCLC, when compared to the KG treatment regimen.