Cost-effectiveness of trabectedin plus pegylated liposomal doxorubicin for the treatment of women with relapsed platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer in the UK: analysis based on the final survival data of the OVA-301 trial

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of trabectedin plus pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) compared with PLD alone for the treatment of patients with relapsed platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer who are not expected to benefit from retreatment with platinum-based therapies based on the final survival data published in October 2012.

Methods: A decision-analytic model estimated the cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained for trabectedin plus PLD compared with PLD alone from the UK National Health Service and Personal Social Services perspective over a lifetime horizon. Mean progression-free survival and overall survival were calculated by using parametric survival distributions adjusted for imbalances discovered in the final survival data. Between-arm imbalances included the platinum-free interval, cancer antigen 125 (CA-125), and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score. Cost categories included drug, administration, medical management, and treatment of adverse events. Quality of life was measured by using the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire. Uncertainty was addressed by deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis.

Results: Over a lifetime horizon, trabectedin plus PLD increased mean progression-free survival by 3.0 months and overall survival by 9.7 months compared with PLD alone. The additional cost and QALYs of trabectedin plus PLD were £18,476 and 0.49, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £38,026 per QALY. Sensitivity analyses showed that results were sensitive to platinum-free interval adjustment and the choice of survival distributions.

Conclusions: The analysis estimated a significant improvement in mean overall survival and incremental cost per QALY compared with that calculated in the original National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence assessment, which was based on immature survival data.