Cost-Effectiveness of the Dabrafenib Schedule in Combination With Trametinib Compared With Other Targeted Therapies, Immunotherapy, and Dacarbazine for the Treatment of Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma With BRAFV600 Mutation in Colombia

Abstract

ObjectivesAdvanced melanoma accounts for 4% of malignant skin tumors, and approximately 80% of deaths are attributed to it. The most frequent mutation of the RAF gene is BRAFV600, which has been associated with a worse prognosis. The objective of the research was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the combined regimen of dabrafenib plus trametinib (D + T) compared with other targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and dacarbazine for the treatment of unresectable/metastatic melanoma with BRAFV600 mutation from the perspective of the Colombian health system. MethodsA partitioned survival model with 3 states (progression-free survival, progression, and death) was used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness for a time horizon of 20 years. Owing to the perspective of the analysis, only direct medical costs were taken into account. The efficacy of the evaluated treatment and the comparators were measured in terms of overall survival and progression-free survival. All costs were expressed in Colombian pesos as of 2018, and outcomes and costs were discounted at 5% annually. Two analysis scenarios were considered, one in which only monitoring and follow-up costs were included in the progression phase and another in which costs of acquisition of possible treatment sequences were also included. ResultsIn the first scenario (without postprogression medication costs), the combined D + T regimen was a dominant alternative to vemurafenib + cobimetinib but was not a cost-effective option compared with vemurafenib, nivolumab, ipilimumab, nivolumab + ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, and dacarbazine. In the second scenario (with drug costs in postprogression), D + T was dominant compared with vemurafenib + cobimetinib and cost-effective compared with nivolumab and pembrolizumab. Compared with other schemes, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was above the threshold of 3 gross domestic product per capita. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses showed that a willingness-to-pay threshold of Col$56 484 300 (US$19 108) per quality-adjusted life-year would not be reached at the current price of schema in Colombia. ConclusionsThe combined scheme could be a cost-effective and even a cost-saving alternative to vemurafenib + cobimetinib, nivolumab, and pembrolizumab if the costs associated with the use of other medications are taken into account after progression to the first line of treatment. Compared with the other comparators, it produces a greater number of quality-adjusted life-years, but the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is above that of the willingness to pay.