Assessment of symptoms in COMET-ICE, a phase 2/3 study of sotrovimab for early treatment of non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Background: The COMET-ICE trial demonstrated that sotrovimab clinically and statistically significantly reduces the risk of all-cause > 24-h hospitalization or death due to any cause among patients with COVID-19 at high risk of disease progression. Patient-reported outcomes are important to capture symptom burden of COVID-19 and assess treatment effectiveness. This study investigated symptoms and their impact over the acute phase of COVID-19 infection among patients on sotrovimab versus placebo.

Burden of influenza hospitalization among high-risk groups in the United States.

Background: Seasonal influenza poses a substantial clinical and economic burden in the United States and vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those with comorbidities, are at elevated risk for influenza-related medical complications.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus claims database in two stages. In Stage 1, we identified patients with evidence of medically-attended influenza during influenza seasons from October 1, 2014 to May 31, 2018 (latest available data for Stage 1) and used a multivariable logistic regression model to identify patient characteristics that predicted 30-day influenza-related hospitalization.

Estimating the Population Benefits and Costs of Rituximab Therapy in the United States from 1998 to 2013 Using Real-World Data.

Background: Rituximab was approved in 1997 and is regularly one of the largest drug expenditures for Medicare; however, its benefits and costs have not been estimated from a population perspective.

Objectives: To estimate both the clinical and the economic outcomes of rituximab for its approved hematological uses at the population level.

Research Design: Analyses using cancer registry incidence data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, and outcomes data from SEER data linked with Medicare administrative claims (SEER-Medicare data).

Comparative healthcare costs in patients with metastatic melanoma in the USA.

Recent advances have increased treatment options for, and improved clinical outcomes in, metastatic melanoma (mM). Using a large claims database, this retrospective study compared healthcare and adverse event (AE) costs in a US managed care population of mM patients initiating vemurafenib (VEM), ipilimumab (IPI), dacarbazine (DTIC), paclitaxel (PAC), or temozolomide (TMZ) from July 2009 to September 2012. Treatment episodes were identified from the start of study drugs (index date) to a switch to a different study drug, or a gap greater than 45 days (>112 days for IPI).

Patient Out-of-Pocket Payments for Oral Oncolytics: Results From a 2009 US Claims Data Analysis.

Purpose: Oral oncolytics are an increasingly important treatment option for cancer. These agents often fall within the pharmacy benefit, with the potential for increased out-of-pocket (OOP) cost burden for patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient OOP payments for oral oncolytic therapies in US managed care plans.

Patient out-of-pocket payments for oral oncolytics: results from a 2009 US claims data analysis.

Objectives: Oral oncolytics are an increasingly important treatment option for cancer. These agents often fall within the pharmacy benefit, with the potential for increased out-of-pocket (OOP) cost burden for patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient OOP payments for oral oncolytic therapies in US managed care plans.

An economic evaluation of the war on cancer.

For decades, the US public and private sectors have committed substantial resources towards cancer research, but the societal payoff has not been well-understood. We quantify the value of recent gains in cancer survival, and analyze the distribution of value among various stakeholders. Between 1988 and 2000, life expectancy for cancer patients increased by roughly four years, and the average willingness-to-pay for these survival gains was roughly $322,000.

Second- and third-line treatment of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer with erlotinib in the community setting: retrospective study of patient healthcare utilization and symptom burden.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to describe treatment use patterns and outcomes with single-agent erlotinib among patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the community oncology setting.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective chart review identified patients treated with single-agent erlotinib as either second- or third-line therapy from 4 community oncology clinics. Medical records were extracted for medical outcomes and resource utilization.

Sensitivity of administrative claims to identify incident cases of lung cancer: a comparison of 3 health plans.

Background: Administrative claims are readily available, but their usefulness for identifying persons with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is relatively unknown, particularly for younger persons and those enrolled in Medicaid.

Objectives: To determine the sensitivity of ICD-9-CM codes for identifying persons with NSCLC.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of insurance claims records linked to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry for the time period January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2005.

Second-line and third-line chemotherapy for lung cancer: use and cost.

Objectives: To identify commonly prescribed first-, second-, and third-line chemotherapy regimens for persons with lung cancer and to evaluate the utilization patterns and costs of care associated with receiving these regimens.

Study Design: Retrospective data analysis.

Methods: Using health insurance claims from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2006, patients with lung cancer were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis codes.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of biological treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.

This review compares the cost-effectiveness of four biologics - adalimumab (Humira, Abbott Laboratories), anakinra (Kineret, Amgen Inc.), etanercept (Enbrel, Wyeth) and infliximab (Remicade, Schering-Plough) - used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A decision analytic model was constructed to estimate the costs and effectiveness of these biologics used alone or in combination with methotrexate during 1 year, from the perspective of a managed care organization.

Comparison of selection strategies for genetic testing of patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal carcinoma: effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

Background: Molecular testing for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal carcinoma (HNPCC) is becoming standard care and it is cost-effective compared with no genetic testing. However, the best strategy for detection of HNPCC gene carriers is unknown.

Methods: We use a decision analytic model to evaluate the effectiveness and incremental cost-effectiveness of four commonly used testing strategies to detect HNPCC gene carriers.

Meta-analysis of subcutaneous versus intravenous epoetin in maintenance treatment of anemia in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Clinical and pharmacokinetic studies have shown that target hemoglobin or hematocrit levels can be maintained using a reduced recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin) dosage by switching from intravenous (IV) to subcutaneous (SC) administration.

Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of comparative studies of epoetin administered IV versus SC to assess the relative costs of these administration routes. Twenty-seven prospective clinical studies involving 916 patients were included in the analysis.

The direct cost and incidence of systemic fungal infections.

Objectives: In this study we determined the incidence and direct inpatient and outpatient costs of systemic fungal infections (candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis) in 1998.

Methods: Using primarily the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) for incidence and the Maryland Hospital Discharge Data Set (MDHDDS) for costs, we surveyed four systemic fungal infections in patients who also had HIV/AIDS, neoplasia, transplant, and all other concomitant diagnoses. Using a case-control method, we compared the cases with controls (those without fungal infections with the same underlying comorbidity) to obtain the incremental hospitalization costs.