Impact of a chemoresponse assay on treatment costs for recurrent ovarian cancer.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

OBJECTIVE: We sought to estimate mean costs of chemotherapy treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer with or without use of a chemoresponse assay. STUDY DESIGN: We estimated mean costs for 3 groups: (1) assay assisted: 75 women who received oncologist's choice of chemotherapy following chemoresponse testing (65% adherence to test results), (2) assay adherent: modeled group assuming 100% adherence to assay results, and (3) empiric: modeled from market share data on most frequently utilized chemotherapy regimens. Cost estimates were based on commercial claims database reimbursements. RESULTS: The most common chemotherapy regimens used were topotecan, doxorubicin, and carboplatin/paclitaxel. Mean chemotherapy costs for 6 cycles were $48,758 (empiric), $33,187 (assay assisted), and $23,986 (assay adherent). The cost savings related to the assay were associated with a shift from higher- to lower-cost chemotherapy regimens and lower use of supportive drugs such as hematopoiesis-stimulating agents. CONCLUSION: Assay-assisted chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer may result in reduced costs compared to empiric therapy.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Havrilesky, LJ; Krivak, TC; Mucenski, JW; Myers, ER

Published Date

  • August 2010

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 203 / 2

Start / End Page

  • 160.e1 - 160.e7

PubMed ID

  • 20417480

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1097-6868

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.ajog.2010.02.054

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States