Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Value of Current Therapies

Clin Colorectal Cancer. 2016 Mar;15(1):1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.clcc.2015.10.002. Epub 2015 Oct 22.

Abstract

To evaluate, from a US payer perspective, the cost-effectiveness of treatment strategies for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), we performed a systematic review of published cost-effectiveness analyses. We identified 14 papers that fulfilled our search criteria and revealed varying levels of value among current treatment strategies. Older agents such as 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin provide high-value treatments. More modern agents targeting the EGFR or VEGF pathways, such as bevacizumab, cetuximab, and panitumumab, do not appear to be cost-effective treatments at their current costs. The analytical methods used within the papers varied widely, and this variation likely plays a significant role in the heterogeneity in incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. The cost-effectiveness of current treatment strategies for mCRC is highly variable. Drugs recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for mCRC are not cost-effective, and this is primarily driven by high drug costs.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Colorectal cancer; Cost-effectiveness; Incremental cost effectiveness ratio; Value.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / economics
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / economics
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Bevacizumab / administration & dosage
  • Bevacizumab / economics
  • Camptothecin / administration & dosage
  • Camptothecin / analogs & derivatives
  • Camptothecin / economics
  • Camptothecin / therapeutic use
  • Cetuximab / administration & dosage
  • Cetuximab / economics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Drug Costs
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Fluorouracil / economics
  • Fluorouracil / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Irinotecan
  • Leucovorin / economics
  • Leucovorin / therapeutic use
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / drug therapy*
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / economics
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Panitumumab
  • Quality-Adjusted Life Years*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Organoplatinum Compounds
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Bevacizumab
  • Panitumumab
  • Irinotecan
  • Cetuximab
  • Leucovorin
  • Fluorouracil
  • Camptothecin

Supplementary concepts

  • IFL protocol