Economic Evaluation of Talimogene Laherparepvec Plus Ipilimumab Combination Therapy vs Ipilimumab Monotherapy in Patients with Advanced Unresectable Melanoma

Abdulaali R. Almutairi, Nimer S. Alkhatib, Mok Oh, Clara Curiel-Lewandrowski, Hani M. Babiker, Lee D. Cranmer, Ali McBride, Ivo Abraham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Importance: A phase 2 trial comparing talimogene laherparepvec plus ipilimumab vs ipilimumab monotherapy in patients with advanced unresectable melanoma found no differential benefit in progression-free survival (PFS) but noted objective response rates (ORRs) of 38.8% (38 of 98 patients) vs 18.0% (18 of 100 patients), respectively. Objective: To perform an economic evaluation of talimogene laherparepvec plus ipilimumab combination therapy vs ipilimumab monotherapy. Design, Setting, and Participants: For PFS, cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses using a 2-state Markov model (PFS vs progression or death) was performed. For ORRs, cost-effectiveness analysis of the incremental cost of 1 additional patient achieving objective response was performed. In this setting based on a US payer perspective (2017 US dollars), participants were patients with advanced unresectable melanoma. Main Outcomes and Measures: The PFS life-years and PFS quality-adjusted life-years were determined, and the associated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) and incremental cost-utility ratios (ICURs) were estimated. Also estimated was the ICER per 1 additional patient (out of 100 treated patients) achieving objective response. Base-case analyses were validated by sensitivity analyses. Results: In PFS analyses, the cost of talimogene laherparepvec plus ipilimumab ($494983) exceeded the cost of ipilimumab monotherapy ($132950) by $362033. The ICER was $2129606 per PFS life-years, and the ICUR was $2262706 per PFS quality-adjusted life-year gained. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses yielded an ICER of $1481208 per PFS life-year gained and an ICUR of $1683191 per PFS quality-adjusted life-year gained. In 1-way sensitivity analyses, the PFS hazard ratio and the utility of response were the most influential parameters. Talimogene laherparepvec plus ipilimumab has a 50% likelihood of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $1683191 per PFS quality-adjusted life-year gained. In ORR analyses, talimogene laherparepvec plus ipilimumab ($474904) vs ipilimumab alone ($132810), a $342094 difference, yielded an ICER of $1629019 per additional patient achieving objective response. In subgroup analyses by disease stage and BRAF V600E mutation status, ICERs ranged from $1069044 to $17104700 per 1 additional patient achieving objective response. Conclusions and Relevance: The cost to gain 1 additional progression-free quality-adjusted life-year, 1 additional progression-free life-year, or to have 1 additional patient attain objective response is about $1.6 million. This amount may be beyond what payers typically are willing to pay. Combination therapy of talimogene laherparepvec plus ipilimumab does not offer an economically beneficial treatment option relative to ipilimumab monotherapy at the population level. This should not preclude treatment for individual patients for whom this regimen may be indicated.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)22-28
Number of pages7
JournalJAMA Dermatology
Volume155
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Dermatology

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