Economic analysis of ALK testing and crizotinib therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

The economic outcome of crizotinib in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer harboring anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangement would be investigated.

Based on a mathematical model, the economic outcome of three techniques for testing ALK gene rearrangement combing with crizotinib would be evaluated and compared with traditional regimen. The impact of the crizotinib patient assistance program (PAP) was assessed.

Ventana immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and IHC testing plus fluorescent in situ hybridization confirmation for anaplastic lymphoma kinase testing following crizotinib treatment leaded to the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of US$16,820 and US$223,242, US$24,424 and US$223,271, and US$16,850 and US$254,668 per quality-adjusted life-year gained with and without PAP, respectively.

Gene-guided crizotinib therapy might be a cost-effective alternative comparing with the traditional regimen in the PAP setting.