Costo-efficacia di capecitabina in combinazione con docetaxel versus docetaxel in monoterapia nel trattamento del carcinoma alla mammella metastatico in pazienti pretrattate con antracicline

Summary

Introduction

In female adults with metastatic breast cancer, the combination of capecitabine plus docetaxel produces more life years and QALYs than docetaxel, but it is still unproved whether this gain is cost-effective. The objective of this study was to find an answer about such issue.

Methods

We used outcome results and resource consumption data from a randomized clinical trial in which two cohorts of patients were treated with capecitabine plus docetaxel (n = 255) or docetaxel (n = 256) for 36 months. The Utility associated to each health state was based on literature estimates. Costs were assessed in 2004 Euros and benefits were discounted at 3%. Sensitivity analyses were performed on key economic parameters. The analysis was conducted from the hospital perspective.

Results

In patients with metastatic breast cancer, capecitabine plus docetaxel increased life years (LYs) by 0.22 years and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) by 0.14 years, compared with docetaxel monotherapy. The incremental cost per LY and QALY gained was € 1,743.18 and € 2,736.25, respectively.

Conclusion

This study suggests that, compared with docetaxel monotherapy, capecitabine plus docetaxel is cost-effective for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.