Non-drug related costs of treatment with pertuzumab and trastuzumab in HER2-positive breast cancer patients in Poland

Abstract

Introduction. HER2-positive breast cancer represents 10–20% of all breast tumors. This study aimed to create a model-based cost-minimization analysis that compared non-drug related costs of different therapies used in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer in Poland: pertuzumab SC plus trastuzumab SC (Pert/TrasSC) vs. pertuzumab IV plus trastuzumab IV (PertIV + TrasIV) vs. pertuzumab IV plus trastuzumab SC (PertIV + TrasSC). 

Material and methods. The cost-minimization analysis was based on the results of a questionnaire addressed to leading oncology centers in Poland. The model was broken down into three categories of cost savings: reduced labor costs of nurses, pharmacists and non-drug related consumables, and from two categories of treatment time reduction: occupation of infusion chair and duration of hospital stay. Data on resources used and costs were collected in the first half of 2022. 

Results. Data were obtained from four oncology centers. The savings generated per patient from healthcare personnel’s work and from non-drug consumables for the Pert/TrasSC arm were 178 PLN compared to PertIV + TrasIV and 168 PLN compared to PertIV + TrasSC. Full adaptation of Pert/TrasSC was estimated to result in average 8-fold higher savings in healthcare personnel workload per patient and in a treatment capacity increase of 241 patients. 

Conclusions. Our model shows that Pert/TrasSC treatment is associated with significantly lower labor costs for nurses and pharmacists and lower costs of non-drug consumables compared to the other treatment options. Moreover, it reduced patients’ chair time due to shorter administration/observation time and released capacity in chemotherapy infusion sites.