Menlo Park, CA, USA – A diagnostic test for patients with metastatic or poorly differentiated cancer cost-effectively uses tumor genomic information to help pathologists and oncologists diagnose tumor origin.
A study conducted by collaborators at Cedar Associates, Stanford University, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and University of Washington evaluated the economic impact of a gene-expression profiling test known as the Pathwork® Tissue of Origin Test for patients with cancer with uncertain primary diagnosis based on a clinical utility study. The Tissue of Origin Test has the potential to influence more than 4% of new cancer cases, in which the primary tissue-site remains uncertain after initial diagnostic procedures.
The study showed that almost one-fourth more oncology treatment plans made after the Tissue of Origin Test were consistent with practice guidelines for the final tumor-site diagnosis compared with oncology treatment plans made before the test. These changes are projected to increase a patient’s overall survival from 15.9 to 19.5 months, and quality-adjusted survival by 2.7 months. Costs are expected to increase by $10,360, resulting in a cost $46,858 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained, which is below WHO published guidelines on accepted thresholds for adoption of healthcare technologies in countries with per capita incomes exceeding $25,000.
“As reported in a peer-reviewed, clinical utility study, the Tissue of Origin Test significantly influenced clinical practice patterns for patients with metastatic or poorly differentiated cancer. This study also reveals that the test is projected to increase overall survival and QALYs, and is cost-effective,” said John Hornberger, MD, MS, the Principal Investigator. This study, “
Cost-effectiveness of gene-expression profiling for tumor-site origin,” is published in
Value in Health, the official journal of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) with an independent research contract. For more information:
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Value in Health (ISSN 1098-3015) publishes papers, concepts, and ideas that advance the field of pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research as well as policy papers to help health care leaders make evidence-based decisions. The journal is published bi-monthly and has over 8,000 subscribers (clinicians, decision-makers, and researchers worldwide).
International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) is a nonprofit, international, educational and scientific organization that strives to increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and fairness of health care resource use to improve health.
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