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. 2022 Nov 15;128(22):3995-4003.
doi: 10.1002/cncr.34457. Epub 2022 Sep 16.

Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus nivolumab as first-line treatment for advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A cost-effectiveness analysis

Yan Li  1 , Xueyan Liang  1 , Huijuan Li  1 , Xiaoyu Chen  1
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Free article

Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus nivolumab as first-line treatment for advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A cost-effectiveness analysis

Yan Li et al. Cancer. .
Free article

Abstract

Background: The cost effectiveness of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (atezo-beva) versus nivolumab treatment for advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma is still uncertain. In this study, the cost effectiveness of these treatments was assessed in the United States.

Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis integrating a network meta-analysis framework was performed using data from the IMbrave150 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03434379) and CheckMate 459 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02576509) trials. In total, 1244 patients were enrolled. A partitioned survival model was used to evaluate cost effectiveness. A deterministic one-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were further performed to evaluate model robustness. Subgroup analyses were also performed.

Results: Compared with the outcomes using nivolumab, the hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival with atezo-beva was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.48-0.98), and the HR for progression-free survival was 0.63 (95% CI, 0.47-0.85). Atezo-beva treatment was associated with an increase of 1.13 life-years and an increase of 0.69 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), as well as a $78,280 increase in cost per patient. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $113,892 per QALY. The incremental net health benefit and the incremental net monetary benefit were 0.17 QALYs and $24,770, respectively, at a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $150,000 per QALY. The model was most sensitive to the HR for progression-free survival. The probability of atezo-beva being considered cost effective was 78%, and it was >50% in most of the subgroups at the WTP threshold of $150,000 per QALY.

Conclusions: At a WTP threshold of $150,000 per QALY and under current drug pricing, atezo-beva is likely considered cost-effective as a first-line treatment for advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma compared with nivolumab.

Keywords: atezolizumab; bevacizumab; cost effectiveness; hepatocellular carcinoma; nivolumab.

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References

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