The cost of adverse event management in patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer treated with first-line cetuximab and panitumumab: An Italian healthcare payer perspective

Background In Italy, previously untreated patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) may receive an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor with a chemotherapy regimen (CT). The choice of anti-EGFR, either cetuximab (cet+CT) or panitumumab (pan+CT), depends on various factors, including adverse event (AE) profiles. Although AE profiles will evolve with increasing use and familiarity, the differences in AE profiles can be explored using literature and safety data from the summary of product characteristics (SmPC). The financial impact of these differences on the Italian National Health Service has yet to be estimated. Methods We developed a model to estimate costs of AE management. Frequencies of common and very common AEs associated with cet+CT or pan+CT were sourced from the respective SmPC.1,2 Applicable resource use costs were obtained from hospital services price lists from the Ministry of Health using the DRG outpatient tariff.3 The national-level financial impact was calculated from the number of cet+CT–eligible patients with mCRC treated in the first line based on published literature, national guidelines, and pan+CT market share. Inputs were validated by practicing Italian oncologists. Results All-grade AEs were estimated to be 58.1% lower and grade 3/4 AEs were estimated to be 70.2% lower in patients receiving cet+CT than in those receiving pan+CT. Mean costs of AE management per patient treated with cet+CT and pan+CT were estimated at €1,194 and €2,951, respectively, resulting in average savings of €1,758 (59.6%) per patient. Differences are mainly driven by a lower frequency of AEs that are costly to manage, such as GI disorders. Annual savings could reach €2,191,839 for a population of 1,247 cet+CT–eligible patients with mCRC. Conclusions Fewer AEs for cet+CT may result in markedly lower AE management costs vs pan+CT. Although results should be considered together with overall costs and clinical outcomes, cet+CT could decrease cost burden on the Italian National Health Service and AE burden for patients with mCRC. Editorial acknowledgement ClinicalThinking, Inc, Hamilton, NJ, USA (funded by Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany). Legal entity responsible for the study Merck Healthcare KGaA. Funding Merck Healthcare KGaA. Disclosure N. Personeni: Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Merck Serono. V. Gebbia: Honoraria (self): Merck; Honoraria (self): Amgen; Honoraria (self): Roche. P. Novelli: Full / Part-time employment: Merck Serono S.p.A. S. Di Matteo: Research grant / Funding (institution): Merck. G. Colombo: Research grant / Funding (institution): Merck. C. Pescott: Full / Part-time employment: Merck Healthcare KGaA. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.