Cost-effectiveness of hepatic arterial chemoembolization for colorectal liver metastases refractory to systemic chemotherapy

Cost effectiveness and the role of the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in interventional radiology

Healthcare expenditure is continually increasing and projected to accelerate in the future, with an increasing proportion being spent on interventional radiology. The role of cost effectiveness studies in ensuring the best allocation of resources is discussed, and the role of National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in determining this. Issues with demonstrating cost effectiveness have been discussed, and it has been found that there is significant scope for improving cost effectiveness, with suggestions made for how this can be achieved. In this way, more patients can benefit from better treatment given limited healthcare budgets.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of consolidative local therapy in oligometastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

BACKGROUND

Novel systemic therapies have improved the prognosis of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but costs of some of these drugs are a matter of ongoing debate. More recently, local therapies (LT) such as radiotherapy and surgery have been suggested as additional treatment in oligometastatic NSCLC demonstrating an improved progression-free survival (PFS) in a phase II trial compared to maintenance chemotherapy (MC) alone. The aim of this analysis was to assess the cost-effectiveness of local therapies in oligometastatic NSCLC.

METHODS

We constructed a Markov model comparing the cost-effectiveness of LT versus MC for oligometastatic NSCLC from the Swiss healthcare payer's perspective. Treatment specifications and PFS were based on the phase II trial (NCT01725165). Overall survival (OS) was inferred from a recent phase III trial. Utilities were taken from published data. Primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness-ratio (ICER, costs in Swiss Francs (CHF) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained).

RESULTS

PFS in the model was 3.8 months for MC and 11.4 months for LT (compared to 3.9 months and 11.9 months in the trial). OS in the model was 15.5 months in both arms. LT was cost-effective with a gain of 0.24 QALYs at an additional cost of CHF 9641, resulting in an ICER of CHF 40,972/QALY gained. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses demonstrated that LT was dominant or cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of CHF 100,000 per QALY in 61.7% of the simulations.

CONCLUSIONS

LT may be cost-effective for selected patients with oligometastatic NSCLC responding to first-line systemic therapy.

Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) using irinotecan-loaded beads for the treatment of unresectable metastases to the liver in patients with colorectal cancer: an interim report

BACKGROUND

Following failure of standard systemic chemotherapy, the role of hepatic transarterial therapy for colorectal hepatic metastasis continues to evolve as the experience with this technique matures. The aim of this study to gain a better understanding of the value of drug eluting bead therapy when administered to patients with unresectable colorectal hepatic metastasis.

METHODS

This was an open-label, multi-center, single arm study, of unresectable colorectal hepatic metastasis patients who had failed standard therapy from 10/2006-10/2008. Patients received repeat embolizations with Irinotecan loaded beads(max 100 mg per embolization) per treating physician's discretion.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients underwent 99 treatments using Irinotecan drug eluting beads. The median number of total treatments per patient was 2(range of 1-5). Median length of hospital stay was 23 hours(range 23 hours - 10 days). There were 30(30%) sessions associated with adverse reactions during or after the treatment. The median disease free and overall survival from the time of first treatment was 247 days and 343 days. Six patients(10%) were downstaged from their original disease status. Of these, four were treated with surgery and two with RFA.Neither number of liver lesions, size of liver lesions or extent of liver replacement(<or= 25% vs >25%) were predictors of overall survival. Only the presence of extrahepatic disease(p = 0,001), extent of prior chemotherapy (failed 1st and 2nd line vs > 2 line failure)(p = 0,007) were predictors of overall survival in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Chemoembolization using Irinotecan loaded beads was safe and effective in the treatment of patients as demonstrated by a minimal complication rate and acceptable tumor response.

Treatment response to transcatheter arterial embolization and chemoembolization in primary and metastatic tumors of the liver

INTRODUCTION

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and chemoembolization (TACE) are increasingly used to treat unresectable primary and metastatic liver tumors. The purpose of this study was to determine the objective response to TAE and TACE in unresectable hepatic malignancies and to identify clinicopathologic predictors of response.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-nine consecutive patients who underwent 119 TAE/TACE procedures between 1998 and 2006 were reviewed. The change in maximal diameter of 121 evaluable lesions in 56 patients was calculated from pre and post-procedure imaging. Response rates were determined using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) guidelines. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare survival in responders vs. non-responders and in primary vs. metastatic histologies.

RESULTS

TAE and TACE resulted in a mean decrease in lesion size of 10.3%+/-1.9% (p<0.001). TACE (vs. TAE) and carcinoid tumors were associated with a greater response (p<0.05). Lesion response was not predicted by pre-treatment size, vascularity, or histology. The RECIST partial response (PR) rate was 12.3% and all partial responders were in the TACE group. Neuroendocrine tumors, and specifically carcinoid lesions, had a significantly greater PR rate (p<0.05). Overall survival, however, was not associated with histology or radiologic response.

DISCUSSION

TAE and TACE produce a significant objective treatment response by RECIST criteria. Response is greatest in neuroendocrine tumors and is independent of vascularity and lesion size. TACE appears to be superior to TAE. Although an association of response with improved survival was not demonstrated, large cohort studies are necessary to further define this relationship.

Colorectal liver metastases: regional chemotherapy via transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and hepatic chemoperfusion: an update

Liver metastasis is one of the main problems encountered in colorectal cancer management as the liver is the most common metastatic site. Several treatment options are available, among which transarterial chemotherapy has proved effective in achieving some local tumour control, improving the quality of life through symptomatic control as well as survival time. The present paper is intended to provide an overview of the techniques, indications and results of regional chemotherapy, which comprises transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and chemoperfusion. This treatment approach has symptomatic, palliative, adjuvant and potentially curative objectives. We reviewed the studies involving TACE and chemoperfusion of colorectal liver metastases during the last few years to update the previous reviews published on this subject. The results achieved were so variable, due to the variations in patient selection criteria and regimens used between the different studies. The median survival ranged from 9 to 62 months and the morphological response ranged from 14 to 76%. Technical aspects, results, and complications of this modality will be demonstrated with a detailed analysis and comments.

Large-sized hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): a neoadjuvant treatment protocol with repetitive transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) before percutaneous MR-guided laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT)

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a neoadjuvant treatment protocol with repeated transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) before MR-guided laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) for large-sized hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Repeated TACE (mean, 3.5 treatments per patient) was performed in 48 patients with neoadjuvant intention (the largest lesion was between 50 and 80 mm in diameter, and there were no more than five lesions). For the TACE treatment, we used 10 mg/m(2) mitomycin, 10 ml/m(2) Lipiodol and microspheres. The tumor volume was measured by MRI. Lipiodol retention of the tumors was evaluated with CT. After the diameter of the tumors had decreased to less than 50 mm, the patients were treated with MR-guided LITT 4 to 6 weeks after embolization. Repeated TACE reduced the tumor size in 32 patients (66.7%), forming the basis for performing MR-guided LITT procedures. These patients received one to four laser treatments (mean, 1.9 per patient) for tumor ablation, resulting in a median survival of 36.0 months after the first treatment. For the remaining patients, no reduction in tumor size was achieved in 12 patients and disease progression in 4 patients. Neoadjuvant TACE appears to be an effective treatment of large-sized HCC, which extends the indication for MR-guided LITT.

Predicting survival in patients with liver cancer considered for transarterial chemoembolization

INTRODUCTION

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been used extensively to treat tumours confined to the liver in patients unsuitable for surgical resection. This study attempts to identify patients with liver cancer most likely to benefit from this type of treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients undergoing TACE for liver cancer between 1989 and 2001 were included in the study.

RESULTS

In a group of 137 consecutive patients undergoing TACE, univariate analysis identified a number of pre-treatment factors that were associated with poor prognosis. Multivariate analysis of these factors subsequently identified three pre-treatment factors; age greater than 60, serum alkaline phosphatase concentration >120U/l and albumin less than 35 g/l; that were independently and significantly associated with reduced survival duration. A scoring system was devised with one point allocated for each adverse factor which produced median survivals related to points scored as follows, 0 points-20 months, 1 point-12 months, 2 points-7 months and 3 points-4 months. To validate this scoring system the next 40 consecutive patients undergoing TACE were studied prospectively. These patients had median survival durations related to points scored as follows 0 points not calculable, 1 point-10 months, 2 points-7 months, 3 points-4 months.

CONCLUSION

This simple scoring system can be used to predict prognosis in patients with liver cancer and may assist in clinical decision making in the selection of patients likely to benefit from TACE.

Current treatment for liver metastases from colorectal cancer

The liver is the commonest site of distant metastasis of colorectal cancer and nearly half of the patients with colorectal cancer ultimately develop liver involved during the course of their diseases. Surgery is the only therapy that offers the possibility of cure for patients with hepatic metastatic diseases. Five-year survival rates after resection of all detectable liver metastases can be up to 40%. Unfortunately, only 25% of patients with colorectal liver metastases are candidates for liver resection, while the others are not amenable to surgical resection. Regional therapies such as radiofrequency ablation and cryotherapy may be offered to patients with isolated unresectable metastases but no extrahepatic diseases. Hepatic artery catheter chemotherapy and chemoembolization and portal vein embolization are often used for the patients with extensive liver metastases but without extrahepatic diseases, which are not suitable for regional ablation. For the patients with metastatic colorectal cancer beyond the liver, systemic chemotherapy is a more appropriate choice. Immunotherapy is also a good option when other therapies are used in combination to enhance the efficacy. Selective internal radiation therapy is a new radiation method which can be used in patients given other routine therapies without effects.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of colorectal cancer treatments

A concise overview is provided of the methodology of cost-effectiveness analyses, followed by a survey of published CEAs of colorectal cancer treatments. To gain credibility, the methodology applied in CEAs must be further improved. Costs are rarely estimated from the societal perspective, and little is known about how colorectal patients value their treatment and health.

Cost-effectiveness of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for malignant hepatic neoplasms

PURPOSE

Percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a promising technique for the treatment of hepatic malignancies. However, its cost-effectiveness has not been established. The purpose of this study is to determine the cost-effectiveness of RF ablation compared to palliative care in the treatment of hepatocellular cancer and colorectal liver metastases. This study also seeks to evaluate the effects of transition from traditional to newly implemented prospective outpatient reimbursement mechanisms on RF ablation cost-effectiveness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The marginal direct costs of a percutaneous RF ablation treatment strategy were compared to palliative care over a range of survival benefits with use of a cost-effectiveness model built from the perspective of the payer. Variables used in the model, including complication rates and procedure efficacy, were obtained from the literature and the authors' experience with 46 consecutive patients.

RESULTS

The cost-effectiveness of a standardized percutaneous RF ablation treatment strategy compared to palliative care was $20,424, $11,407, $5,034, and $3,492, respectively, per life-year (LY) gained when marginal median survival conferred by RF ablation is 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years. The RF ablation treatment strategy would be required to generate 6.14, 2.26, and 1.10 months of marginal median survival benefit to achieve strict ($20,000/LY gained), moderate ($50,000/LY gained), and generous ($100,000/LY gained) cost-effectiveness thresholds. Cost-effectiveness was sensitive to the number of lifetime treatments, hours of observation time, frequency of follow-up evaluations, cost of abdominal computed tomography, and decision to perform RF ablation as an inpatient or outpatient.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous RF ablation is a cost-effective treatment strategy compared to palliative care and has likely already achieved the survival benefit required to meet even a strict cost-effectiveness criterion. Dependence on reimbursement mechanism highlights the importance of concordance between policy and RF ablation technology. The results of this study allow flexible application of cost-effectiveness data despite current uncertainties in treatment and survival data and heterogeneity in treatment populations.