Clinical and economic outcomes of treatment sequences for intermediate-to poor-risk advanced renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Aim: To assess the cost–effectiveness of treatment sequences for patients with intermediate-to poor-risk advanced renal cell carcinoma. Patients & methods: A discrete event simulation model was developed to estimate patients’ lifetime costs and survival. Efficacy inputs were derived from the CheckMate 214 and CheckMate 025 studies and network meta-analyses. Safety and cost data were obtained from the published literature. Results: The estimated average quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained was the highest on nivolumab + ipilimumab-initiated sequences (3.6–5.3 QALYs) versus tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-initiated sequences (2.1–3.7 QALYs). Incremental cost per QALY gained for nivolumab + ipilimumab-initiated sequences was below the willingness-to-pay threshold of $150,000 versus other sequences. Conclusion: Immuno-oncology combination therapy followed by TKIs is cost-effective versus TKI sequences followed by immuno-oncology or sequencing TKIs.