Objective To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of blinatumomab (Blincyto) versus standard of care (SOC) chemotherapy in adults with relapsed or refractory (R/R) Philadelphia-chromosome-negative (Ph-) B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) based on the results of the phase 3 TOWER study from a US healthcare payer perspective. Methods The Blincyto Global Economic Model (B-GEM), a partitioned survival model,
Weycker D, Edelsberg J, Barron R, Atwood M, Oster G, Crittenden DB, Grauer A. Predictors of near-term fracture in osteoporotic women aged ≥65 years, based on data from the study of osteoporotic fractures. Osteoporos Int 2017;28(9):2565-71.
Using data from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF), several clinical characteristics predictive of near-term (1-year) risk of hip and non-vertebral fracture among elderly osteoporotic women were identified, and a subset of those for hip fracture was incorporated into a risk assessment tool. Additional research is needed to validate study findings. INTRODUCTION: While several risk
Taneja C, Netsch D, Rolstad BS, Inglese G, Lamerato L, Oster G. Clinical and economic burden of peristomal skin complications in patients with recent ostomies. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs 2017;44(4):350-7.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the risk and economic burden of peristomal skin complications (PSCs) in a large integrated healthcare system in the Midwestern United States. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 128 patients; 40% (n = 51) underwent colostomy, 50% (n = 64) underwent ileostomy, and
Hatswell AJ, Thompson GJ, Maroudas PA, Sofrygin O, Delea TE. Estimating outcomes and cost effectiveness using a single-arm clinical trial: ofatumumab for double-refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cost Eff Resour Alloc 2017;15:8.
BACKGROUND: Ofatumumab (Arzerra®, Novartis) is a treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia refractory to fludarabine and alemtuzumab [double refractory (DR-CLL)]. Ofatumumab was licensed on the basis of an uncontrolled Phase II study, Hx-CD20-406, in which patients receiving ofatumumab survived for a median of 13.9 months. However, the lack of an internal control arm presents an obstacle for
Lyman GH, Allcott K, Garcia J, Stryker S, Li Y, Reiner MT, Weycker D. The effectiveness and safety of same-day versus next-day administration of long-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factors for the prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer 2017;25(8):2619-29.
PURPOSE: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) are commonly used in clinical practice to prevent febrile neutropenia (FN). US and EU prescribing information and treatment guidelines from the NCCN, ASCO, and EORTC specify that pegfilgrastim, a long-acting (LA) G-CSF, should be administered at least 24 h after myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Nevertheless, many patients receive LA G-CSFs on the same day as chemotherapy. This systematic literature review evaluated the relative merits
Delea TE, Weycker D, Atwood M, Neame D, Alvarez FP, Forget E, Langley JM, Chit A. Cost-effectiveness of alternate strategies for childhood immunization against meningococcal disease with monovalent and quadrivalent conjugate vaccines in Canada. PLoS One 2017;12(5):e0175721.
BACKGROUND: Public health programs to prevent invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) with monovalent serogroup C meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV-C) and quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines (MCV-4) in infancy and adolescence vary across Canadian provinces. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of various vaccination strategies against IMD using current and anticipated future pricing and recent epidemiology. METHODS: A cohort
Kreuter M, Spagnolo P, Wuyts W, Renzoni E, Koschel D, Bonella F, Maher TM, Kolb M, Weycker D, Kirchgässler KU, Costabel U. Antacid therapy and disease progression in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who received pirfenidone. Respiration 2017;93(6):415-23.
BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a potential risk factor for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) progression; however, the impact of antacid therapy (AAT) is under debate. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of AAT on IPF progression in pirfenidone-treated patients. METHODS: This post hoc analysis included patients with IPF who received pirfenidone in 3 trials (CAPACITY [PIPF-004/PIPF-006]
Capri S, Porta C, Delea TE. Cost-effectiveness of pazopanib versus sunitinib as first-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma from an Italian national health service perspective. Clin Ther 2017;39(3):567-80.
PURPOSE: A prior randomized controlled trial (COMPARZ [Comparing the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Pazopanib versus Sunitinib]) found non-inferior progression-free survival for pazopanib versus sunitinib as first-line therapy in patients with advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The present study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of pazopanib versus sunitinib as first-line treatment for patients with metastatic renal
Weycker D, Hansen GL, Seifer FD. Prevalence and incidence of noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis among US adults in 2013. Chron Respir Dis 2017;14(4):377-84.
Bronchiectasis is an incurable pulmonary disorder that is characterized pathologically by permanent bronchial dilatation and severe bronchial inflammation and clinically by chronic productive cough and recurrent infectious exacerbations; bronchiectasis often occurs in the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is widely believed that increasing use of high-resolution computed tomography has led to a marked
Kreuter M, Bonella F, Maher TM, Costabel U, Spagnolo P, Weycker D, Kirchgaessler KU, Kolb M. Effect of statins on disease-related outcomes in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Thorax 2017;72(2):148-53.
BACKGROUND: Data are conflicting regarding the possible effects of statins in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This post hoc analysis assessed the effects of statin therapy on disease-related outcomes in IPF. METHODS: Patients randomised to placebo (n=624) in three controlled trials of pirfenidone in IPF (CAPACITY 004 and 006, ASCEND) were categorised by baseline
Weycker D, Li X, Tzivelekis S, Atwood M, Garcia J, Li Y, Reiner M, Lyman GH. Burden of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia hospitalizations in US clinical practice, by use and patterns of prophylaxis with colony-stimulating factor. Support Care Cancer 2017;25(2):439-47.
INTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests that many cancer chemotherapy patients who are candidates for colony-stimulating factor (CSF) prophylaxis do not receive it or receive it inconsistent with guidelines, and that such patients have a higher risk of febrile neutropenia hospitalization (FNH). Little is known about the number and consequences of FNH by use/patterns of CSF prophylaxis in US clinical practice. METHODS: A retrospective cohort design and private healthcare claims data were employed.