This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of avelumab first-line (1L) maintenance therapy plus best supportive care (BSC) versus BSC alone for adults with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC) that had not progressed following platinum-based chemotherapy in France.
A three-state partitioned survival model was developed to assess the lifetime costs and effects of avelumab plus BSC versus BSC alone. Data from the phase 3 JAVELIN Bladder 100 trial (NCT02603432) were used to inform estimates of clinical and utility values considering a 10-year time horizon and a weekly cycle length. Cost data were estimated from a collective perspective and included treatment acquisition, administration, follow-up, adverse event-related hospitalization, transport, post-progression, and end-of-life costs. Health outcomes were measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and life-years gained. Costs and clinical outcomes were discounted at 2.5% per annum. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were used to compare cost-effectiveness and willingness to pay in France. Uncertainty was assessed using a range of sensitivity analyses.
Avelumab plus BSC was associated with a gain of 2.49 QALYs and total discounted costs of €136,917; BSC alone was associated with 1.82 QALYs and €39,751. Although avelumab plus BSC was associated with increased acquisition costs compared with BSC alone, offsets of -€20,424 and -€351 were observed for post-progression and end-of-life costs, respectively. The base case analysis ICER was €145,626/QALY. Sensitivity analyses were consistent with the reference case and showed that efficacy parameters (overall survival, time to treatment discontinuation), post-progression time on immunotherapy, and post-progression costs had the largest impact on the ICER.
This analysis demonstrated that avelumab plus BSC is associated with a favorable cost-effectiveness profile for patients with la/mUC who are eligible for 1L maintenance therapy in France.
PloS one. 2024 May 10*** epublish ***
Fanny Porte, Anna Granghaud, Jane Chang, Mairead Kearney, Aya Morel, Ingrid Plessala, Hélène Cawston, Julie Roiz, Ying Xiao, Marie-Noelle Solbes, Prisca Lambert, Alain Ravaud, Yohann Loriot, Antoine Thiery-Vuillemin, Pierre Lévy
Health Economics Department, Merck Santé S.A.S., Lyon, France., Health Economics department, Pfizer S.A.S., Paris, France., Health Economics department, Pfizer, New York, NY, United States of America., Global Value Demonstration, Market Access and Pricing, The Healthcare Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany., Health Economics & Market Access (HEMA), Amaris Consulting, Paris, France., Health Economics, Evidera, London, United Kingdom., Medical Department, Merck Santé S.A.S., Lyon, France., Medical Department, Pfizer S.A.S., Paris, France., Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France., Department of Medical Oncology, Institute Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France., Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Besançon, Besançon, France., Université Paris-Dauphine, Université-PSL, [LEDA], LEGOS, Paris, France.