Is it cost-effective to add erlotinib to gemcitabine in advanced pancreatic cancer?

摘要: 6048 Background: Single agent gemcitabine has been considered the standard of care in advanced pancreatic cancer since 1996. A recent 569 patient randomized trial comparing alone with + erlotinib as first line therapy found a small but statistically significant difference survival (6.0 vs 6.4 months, respectively, p = .028). The impact on may be small, nearly 33,000 new cases per year, health costs use combined regimen large. Using known data and costs, we analyzed incremental cost-effectiveness adding erlotinib. Methods: Costs for six month course were developed using Medicare reimbursement from January, 2006 CMS Drug Payment Table Physician Fee Schedule assuming no change infusion reimbursement. Since is not approved Part B drug, wholesale retail sources. dosing schedules based th...