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Verification of imatinib cost-effectiveness in advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor in British Columbia (VINCE-BC study)

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Suzanne CM Taylor, BSc Pharm PharmD BCPS FCSHP

Provincial Pharmacy, Systemic Therapy Program, British Columbia Cancer Agency, British Columbia, Canada, Suzanne.Taylor{at}gov.bc.ca

Christina CY Chu, MSc

Population and Preventative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Agency, British Columbia, Canada

Veronika Moravan, MSc

Population and Preventative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Agency, British Columbia, Canada

Karissa Johnston, MSc

Centre for Health Economics in Cancer, British Columbia Cancer Agency, British Columbia, Canada, Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Canada

Stuart Peacock, BA MSc DPhil

Centre for Health Economics in Cancer, British Columbia Cancer Agency, British Columbia, Canada, Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Canada

Meg Knowling, MD

Medical Oncology, Systemic Therapy Program, British Columbia Cancer Agency, British Columbia, Canada

Background. This cost-effectiveness analysis of imatinib in British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA) patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) was performed to justify funding.

Patients and Methods. A pragmatic, retrospective review identified BCCA patients with advanced GIST who received imatinib or historical treatment during successive, pre-specified time periods. Primary outcome was the cost-effectiveness (CE) of imatinib based on median overall survival (MOS). Secondary outcomes were cost-effectiveness based on median progression-free survival (PFS) and comparison to literature efficacy. This study took the BCCA perspective. Sensitivity analyses varying effectiveness over the 95% confidence interval (CI), cost to its extremes, discounting level at 0, 3, and 5%, and substituting life expectancy for MOS were performed.

Results. Forty-six and 47 patients in the imatinib and historical groups respectively showed MOS with imatinib to be 66.7 months (95%CI 61.7— infinity) compared to 7.7 (95%CI 6.0—12.6) in the historical group. Median-PFS were 45.3 months (95%CI 24.4—infinity) and 5.6 (95%CI 3.5—8.5) respectively. Imatinib effectiveness was similar to literature reports. The annual incremental CE ratio for imatinib was $15,882 CDN per median life year gained and $23,603 CDN per median year of PFS.

Conclusions. Imatinib for advanced GIST seems cost-effective in BC. Results were robust across a range of sensitivity analyses. J Oncol Pharm Practice (2008) 14: 105—112.

Key Words: advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors • cost-effectiveness • health outcomes • imatinib • leiomyosarcomas • population-based research

This version was published on September 1, 2008

Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, Vol. 14, No. 3, 105-112 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1078155208088695


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