Real-world treatment patterns, survival, health resource useand costs among Medicare beneficiaries with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Abstract

Aim: To examine real-world treatment patterns, survival, healthcare resource use and costs in elderly Medicare beneficiaries with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods: 11,880 Medicare patients aged ≥66years with DLBCL between 1 October2015 and 31 December2018 were followed for ≥12months after initiating front-line treatment. Results: Two-thirds (61.2%) of the patients received standard-of-care R-CHOP as first-line treatment. Hospitalization was common (57%) in the 12-months after initiation of 1L treatment; the mean DLCBL-related total costs were US$84,416 during the same period. Over a median follow-up of 2.1years, 17.8% received at least 2L treatment. Overall survival was lower among later lines of treatment (median overall survival from initiation of 1L: not reached; 2L: 19.9months; 3L: 9.8months; 4L: 5.5months). Conclusion: A large unmet need exists for more efficacious and well-tolerated therapies for older adults with DLBCL.