Healthcare resource utilisation and sickness absence in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients who did not undergo autologous stem cell transplantation: Trends in Sweden with the changing treatment landscape.

Objectives: The introduction of novel drugs has significantly improved outcomes for multiple myeloma (MM) patients. This study describes survival, healthcare resource utilisation and sickness absence in association with the changing MM treatment landscape over time, focussing on patients who did not undergo autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT).

Methods: Population-based, retrospective registry study in Sweden, where 7012 non-ASCT patients diagnosed between 2001 and 2015 were stratified into diagnosis periods 2001-2005 (n = 2053), 2006-2010 (n = 2372) and 2011-2015 (n = 2587).

A matching-adjusted indirect treatment comparison (MAIC) of daratumumab-bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone (D-VMP) versus lenalidomide-dexamethasone continuous (Rd continuous), lenalidomide-dexamethasone 18 months (Rd 18), and melphalan-prednisone-thalidomide (MPT).

D-VMP is a novel treatment for transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (TIE NDMM). D-VMP significantly prolonged PFS versus VMP in the ALCYONE trial. The FIRST trial investigated Rd given in 28-day cycles until disease progression, Rd for 18 cycles, and MPT for 12 cycles for TIE NDMM.

Real-world treatment outcomes in multiple myeloma: Multicenter registry results from Finland 2009-2013.

Unlabelled: Outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have improved with the advent of novel therapies, however, real-world evidence of outcomes in clinical practice is scarce. We conducted a multi-center registry study to build a reliable picture of treatment and patient outcomes in Finland. The aim of this study was also to understand any methodological challenges in assessing treatment outcomes using disease registry data.

Optimizing choice of oral interferon-free treatment for genotype 1 hepatitis C virus using testing for NS5A resistance: a cost-utility analysis from the perspective of the Italian National Health Service.

Background: Patients with genotype-1 hepatitis C virus infection who have failed to respond to standard therapy or who relapse following treatment may be considered for an interferon-free regimen incorporating a nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) inhibitor. Sustained virologic response (SVR) with these regimens is typically >90%, but this is reduced in patients with NS5A resistance. European Association for Study of the Liver guidelines recommend simeprevir + sofosbuvir ± ribavirin (SMV+SOF±R) for re-treating patients failing an NS5A inhibitor-containing regimen.

Indirect comparison of the antiviral efficacy of peginterferon alpha 2a plus ribavirin used with or without simeprevir in genotype 4 hepatitis C virus infection, where common comparator study arms are lacking: a special application of the matching adjusted indirect comparison methodology.

Background: The need to assess relative efficacy in the absence of comparative clinical trials is a problem that is often encountered in economic modeling. The use of matching adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) in this situation has been suggested. We present the results of a MAIC used to evaluate the incremental benefit offered by adding simeprevir (SMV) to standard therapy in the treatment of patients infected with genotype 4 hepatitis C virus (HCV).

A network meta-analysis to compare simeprevir with boceprevir and telaprevir in combination with peginterferon-α and ribavirin in patients infected with genotype 1 Hepatitis C virus.

Objective: To conduct a network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess the relative efficacy and safety of simeprevir, a second generation oral protease inhibitor (PI), compared to telaprevir and boceprevir in combination with pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin (PR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: A systematic literature review and NMA of randomized controlled trials involving anti-virals added to PR were conducted. Electronic database searches and hand searches were conducted to identify relevant publications.