Cost-effectiveness analysis using a Markov model assessing the addition of bevacizumab to paclitaxel in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer patients.

Abstract

1069 Background: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains an incurable disease despite advances in treatment modalities. In 2008, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 2100 trial (E2100) results led to FDA approval for bevacizumab with paclitaxel in the initial treatment of HER2-negative MBC. The addition of bevacizumab to paclitaxel led to a gain of around 2.5 months of progression-free survival (PFS), no significant benefit on overall survival (OS), and increased toxicity. In November 2011, the FDA officially revoked approval of bevacizumab for HER2-negative MBC. However, both the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) and NCCN still endorse bevacizumab for this indication. One of the greatest challenges facing healthcare worldwide is reconciling incremental clinical benefits with exponentially rising costs. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of bevacizumab with paclitaxel for HER2-negative MBC. Methods: A Markov decision tree using Data 3.5 (TreeAge Software, Inc.) was created to do decision and cost-effectiveness analyses of using bevacizumab in combination with paclitaxel versus paclitaxel alone as first-line chemotherapy in HER2-negative MBC using efficacy and toxicity data from the E2100 study. Costs were obtained from the Center for Medicare Services Drug Payment Table and Physician Fee Schedule. The model was designed from the patient and payer perspectives and sensitivity analyses were run. Results: The marginal cost between paclitaxel alone versus bevacizumab and paclitaxel was 86K with a marginal efficacy of 0.369 quality-adjusted life-years and marginal cost effectiveness of 232,720.72 USD. The expected outcome value was 1.86 for bevacizumab and paclitaxel and 1.67 for paclitaxel alone. However, the combination was not cost effective and only a marginal survival advantage that was not significant was observed. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that, despite a significant PFS advantage, the addition of bevacizumab to paclitaxel is not cost-effective for patients with HER2-negative MBC. Such data could be informative to policymakers who consider the health economics and incremental cost-effectiveness of medical therapies.