The association between new cancer therapy innovations and financial toxicity

Recent advancements in cancer treatments have improved survival rates, but rising costs associated with these innovations raise concerns about their financial impact on patients. This study investigates the trade-off between improved survival and the financial toxicity over time in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using linked data from the Western Washington SEER cancer registry and TransUnion credit records, focusing on adults diagnosed with advanced NSCLC, bladder, uterine, head and neck, and liver cancers between 2013 and 2017. Financial toxicity was assessed through major adverse financial events (AFEs), including collections, charge offs, liens, delinquent payments, foreclosures, repossessions, and bankruptcies. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression evaluated trends in a composite outcome of survival and AFEs for NSCLC patients within 2 years post-diagnosis. A falsification test evaluated a negative control group of advanced cancers lacking new therapies.

Our study included 6548 patients (mean age 69; 42% female; 86% non-Hispanic White). Two-year survival for NSCLC patients increased from 15.2% to 19.2% between 2013 and 2017 (mean change 4.0%pt, 95% CI = 0.7 to 7.3). The proportion of survivors without AFEs increased by 2.2%pt (95% CI = -0.6 to 5.1), while those alive with major AFEs increased by 1.9%pt (95% CI = 0.02 to 3.6). This trend was absent in the negative control group.

The trade-off between survival gains and increased economic hardships linked to treatment innovations underscores the need to expand our focus beyond clinical outcomes and implement protective measures that ensure healthcare advancements promote population health without inducing financial distress.