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The cost of molecular-guided therapy in oncology: a prospective cost study alongside the MOSCATO trial
Arnaud Pagès1, Stéphanie Foulon1,2, Zhaomin Zou1,2
1Gustave Roussy, Service de Biostatistique et d'Epidémiologie, Villejuif, France.
Aim:
There is increasing use of molecular technologies to guide cancer treatments, but few cost data are available. Our objective was to assess the costs of molecular-guided therapy for patients with advanced solid tumors alongside the Molecular Screening for Cancer Treatment and Optimization (MOSCATO) trial.
Materials And Methods:
The study population consisted of 529 patients. The molecular diagnosis included seven steps from tumor biopsy to the multidisciplinary molecular tumor board. The cost of a complete molecular diagnosis was assessed by micro-costing. Direct costs incurred from enrollment until progression were assessed from the French National Health Insurance perspective.
Results:
The patients' mean age was 54 years (range: 3-82) and the mean follow-up period was 145 days (range: 1-707 days). A complete molecular diagnosis cost [euro ]2,396. There were 220 patients with an actionable target (42%), among whom 105 (20%) actually received a targeted therapy. The cost of molecular-guided therapy per patient was [euro ]31,269. The main cost drivers were anticancer drugs (54%) and hospitalizations (35%).
Conclusion:
This prospective cost analysis showed that molecular diagnosis accounts for only 6% of the cost of molecular-guided therapy per patient. The costs of drugs and hospitalizations are the main cost drivers.Genet Med advance online publication 01 December 2016.
Insights
Molecular diagnosis in advanced cancer is costly, but drugs and hospitalizations drive most expenses. This study analyzed costs for molecular-guided therapy, finding diagnosis is a small fraction of the total expense.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Health Economics
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Molecular technologies are increasingly used to personalize cancer treatments.
- Limited cost data exists for molecular-guided cancer therapies.
- Assessing these costs is crucial for healthcare planning and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the total cost of molecular-guided therapy for advanced solid tumors.
- To identify the primary cost drivers in molecular-guided cancer treatment.
- To assess the cost contribution of molecular diagnosis within the overall treatment pathway.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cost analysis was conducted alongside the MOSCATO trial.
- The study included 529 patients with advanced solid tumors.
- Micro-costing assessed the complete molecular diagnosis, and direct costs were tracked from enrollment to progression.
Main Results:
- The mean cost of a complete molecular diagnosis was €2,396.
- The overall cost of molecular-guided therapy per patient was €31,269.
- Anticancer drugs (54%) and hospitalizations (35%) were the main cost drivers, with molecular diagnosis accounting for only 6% of the total cost.
Conclusions:
- Molecular diagnosis represents a minor component of the overall cost of molecular-guided therapy.
- The high cost of molecular-guided therapy is primarily driven by drug expenses and hospitalizations.
- These findings highlight the need to consider the full spectrum of costs when evaluating molecular-guided cancer treatments.
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