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Drotrecogin alfa (activated; Xigris): an effective and cost-efficient treatment for severe sepsis

Christopher James Doig1, David A Zygun, Anthony Delaney

  • 1Department of Critical Care, Internal Medicine and Community Health, Medicine Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Rm EG23G, Foothills Medical Center, 1403-29th Street NW, Calgary AB, T2N 2T9, Canada. cdoig@ucalgary.ca

Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research
|October 8, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Drotrecogin alfa (activated) shows promise in treating severe sepsis, reducing severity markers. Economic analyses suggest it is a cost-effective therapy for critically ill patients.

Area of Science:

  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Health Economics

Background:

  • Severe sepsis presents significant patient and healthcare burdens.
  • Previous immunomodulatory agents have failed to improve sepsis outcomes.
  • Drotrecogin alfa (activated) is a novel therapeutic agent for severe sepsis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of drotrecogin alfa (activated) for severe sepsis.
  • To assess its potential as a standard of care in critical care settings.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical and Phase II studies on biological markers.
  • Analysis of a large Phase III trial in severe sepsis patients.
  • Evaluation of three economic analyses on cost-utility.

Main Results:

  • Drotrecogin alfa (activated) demonstrated beneficial effects on sepsis severity markers.
  • Phase III trial confirmed efficacy in a general severe sepsis population.
  • Economic analyses indicate a favorable cost-utility ratio compared to funded therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Drotrecogin alfa (activated) is a potentially cost-efficient treatment for severe sepsis.
  • It warrants consideration as part of the standard of care in modern critical care services.
  • Further integration into healthcare systems is recommended for eligible patient populations.

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