Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Real-World Cost Consequence Analysis

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Economics
• Real-World Evidence

Background:

• Lung cancer management is evolving with new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
• Regional pathways aim to standardize care for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
• Evaluating the economic impact and survival outcomes of implemented pathways is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze management costs and survival rates for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.
• To compare outcomes before (2015) and after (2017) a regional pathway implementation in Veneto, Italy.
• To assess the association of costs and survival with the new pathway.

Main Methods:

• Real-world data analysis of NSCLC cases from the Veneto Cancer Registry (Padua province).
• Tobit regression analysis for cost assessment (2 years post-diagnosis).
• Logistic regression models for 2-year overall mortality analysis.

Main Results:

• The 2017 cohort (post-pathway) showed lower mortality odds (OR=0.93, P=.02) but significantly higher average overall costs (P=.009).
• Drug costs increased significantly (P=.008) in the 2017 cohort.
• Hospice care costs decreased significantly (P=.022) in the 2017 cohort.

Conclusions:

• The implemented NSCLC pathway improved patient survival.
• There was a notable increase in the economic burden associated with NSCLC management.
• Policymakers and health professionals must address rising costs while encouraging adherence to new clinical pathways.