An estimate of the cost of conducting phase II trials in lung cancer

Although it is commonly assumed that clinical trials are more costly than standard therapy, there have been no previous studies of the cost of conducting phase II trials in lung cancer. We retrospectively analyzed two National Cancer Institute of Canada phase II trials in previously untreated small cell lung cancer (SCLC) to determine the costs of conducting the trials in a cancer treatment centre. Both studies were clinical trials undertaken as part of the NCIC's Investigational New Drug program: IND 69 and IND 50 evaluated docetaxel (taxotere) and gemcitabine, respectively.

data management costs in a Canadian cancer treatment centre were determined from the time estimates provided by data managers to complete various protocol related tasks. Nursing and pharmacy personnel measured the time and supplies necessary to prepare and administer the chemotherapy. Physician fees were determined from the type and number of care visits required by the clinical protocols. Laboratory tests and imaging studies were costed according to the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) Schedule of Fees and Benefits. To estimate whether phase II trials are more costly than standard treatment, we determined the cost of four cycles of VP-16-cisplatin, a standard treatment for SCLC.

The total cost of performing the docetaxel study was $18443 for an average cost per case of $1317 and an average cost per treatment cycle of $683. The gemcitabine study cost more, due to the fact that the drug proved to be active against SCLC and more cycles of therapy were administered to a larger number of patients. Laboratory and administration costs were also higher, because of the drug administration schedule. The total cost of this study was estimated to be $64670 and the average cost per patient entered was $2230 with an average cost per treatment cycle of $898. In comparison, the estimated cost of four cycles of VP-16-cisplatin chemotherapy was $3948 or $987 per treatment cycle. The major cost drivers in the clinical trials were laboratory and imaging tests which made up 17 and 39%, respectively, of the costs of the taxotere study, and 29 and 27%, respectively, for the gemcitabine study. Data management costs contributed 21 and 13% of the total costs, respectively.

As the main cost drivers in these phase II clinical trials are laboratory and imaging tests, the cost of clinical trials could potentially be reduced by ensuring that only essential tests are required by protocol. Not surprisingly, the cost of conducting a trial of an active agent is greater than for an inactive agent, because more patients are treated and each patient receives more treatment. The implications for the per-case funding of phase II clinical trials are discussed.