X-GEM finds drug to have economic value in MM

And from a societal perspective, the model calculated the net monetary benefit for denosumab to be $10,259.

The societal perspective included SRE direct costs (hospital, outpatient, and emergency department visits, long-term care, hospice, physical therapy and devices, skilled nursing facility, and strong opioids), direct non-medical costs (driving for treatment, parking, and caregiver costs), and indirect costs (short-term disability and productivity loss).

The investigators concluded that denosumab is cost-effective below a willingness-to-pay threshold of $150,000/QALY regardless of ZA price, whether wholesale or average sales price.

“The bone-specific benefits and observed prolongation of progression-free survival in combination with the economic analysis provides denosumab as a valuable option for patients with multiple myeloma,” Dr Raje said. “In total, we still think it’s more cost-effective to use denosumab when compared to zoledronic acid in this patient population.”

At present, treatment options to prevent bone complications in MM patients are limited to bisphosphonates, including ZA. Denosumab is under review by the US Food and Drug Administration for an expanded indication to include MM.

Both the phase 3 and cost-effectiveness studies were funded by Amgen, Inc. Dr Raje and co-investigators of the study have either consulted for or are employed by Amgen, Inc.