Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness analysis of nimotuzumab for the radiotherapy of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of nimotuzumab in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC).

METHODS:

LA-NPC patients treated between October 2013 and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. A well-balanced cohort of patients who received nimotuzumab in addition to standard treatment (n = 50) and patients who did not receive nimotuzumab (n = 100) was selected using propensity score-matching method (1:2 ratio) for the cost-effectiveness analysis.

RESULTS:

Compared with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) alone, addition of nimotuzumab to CCRT significantly improved the 3-year overall survival (OS) (98.00% vs. 91.00%, P = 0.032). On multivariate analysis, nimotuzumab (hazard ratio = 0.124, 95% confidence interval: 0.017-0.902, P = 0.039) showed prognostic significance for OS. No serious treatment-related adverse events were observed in the nimotuzumab group (P > 0.05). Cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that addition of nimotuzumab increased the average treatment costs by $14,364.63. The additional cost for every one percent increase in OS rate was $ 2,052.09.

CONCLUSION:

Addition of nimotuzumab to CCRT for LA-NPC confers significant survival benefits; however, it is not cost-effective.

• Authors: Zhaodong Fei, Ting Xu, Mengying Li, Taojun Chen, Li Li, Xiufang Qiu, Chuanben Chen
• Journal: Radiation oncology (London, England) (Radiat Oncol) Vol. 15 Issue 1 Pg. 230 (Oct 02 2020) ISSN: 1748-717X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 33008416 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
• nimotuzumab

Topics

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized (economics, therapeutic use)
• Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological (economics, therapeutic use)
• Chemoradiotherapy (economics, mortality)
• Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (economics, pathology, therapy)
• Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms (economics, pathology, therapy)
• Prognosis
• Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted (methods)
• Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated (methods)
• Retrospective Studies
• Survival Rate