VALUE ASSESSMENT OF BIOLOGIC THERAPIES FOR CROHN'S DISEASE IN CHINA: A RAPID HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
Author(s)
Kailiman Ahemaiti, Mater1, Tianjian Tang, Mater1, Wei wu, Mater1, Mingfei Yi, Mater1, Honghao Shi, Ph.D.2, Yunfeng Lai, PhD3.
1Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China, 2University of Macau, Macau, China, 3Teacher, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
1Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China, 2University of Macau, Macau, China, 3Teacher, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
OBJECTIVES: Biologic therapies have improved outcomes for Crohn's disease (CD), but evidence on their clinical and economic value in China remains fragmented. To assess the clinical effectiveness, safety, and economic value of biologic therapies for CD in China using a rapid health technology assessment (rHTA).
METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang were searched from inception to April 2026. Randomized controlled trials, real-world studies, and economic evaluations of biologic therapies in Chinese patients with CD were included. Evidence was synthesized narratively because of methodological heterogeneity.
RESULTS: Seventeen studies were included, comprising 2 RCTs, 12 RWS, and 7 economic evaluations. Clinical evidence consistently demonstrated favorable effectiveness of biologic therapies. In an RCT, adalimumab achieved a clinical remission rate of 37% at Week 4, compared with 7% with placebo. Real-world studies reported clinical remission rates of 81.5% for infliximab (IFX), 55.6% for ustekinumab (UST), 43.9% for adalimumab (ADA), and 34.5% for vedolizumab (VDZ), although direct comparisons were limited by study heterogeneity. Long-term RWS further demonstrated sustained remission, endoscopic improvement, and reduced hospitalization with continued biologic therapy. Safety profiles were generally favorable. Overall adverse-event rates ranged from 4.2%-34.0% for IFX, 5.5%-37.0% for ADA, 4.9% for UST, and 4.7%-6.7% for VDZ, with biosimilars showing safety profiles comparable to those of originator products, without new safety signals. Economic evaluations demonstrated that IFX remained cost-effective under reimbursement conditions, whereas VDZ was economically dominant over conventional therapy. Among treatment strategies, the ADA→UST sequence consistently showed the greatest cost-effectiveness, while IFX biosimilars substantially reduced healthcare expenditure without compromising clinical outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Biologic therapies are effective, safe, and economically valuable for CD management in China. Treatment sequencing and biosimilar implementation may further improve value-based care and reimbursement decisions. Additional multicenter real-world studies are warranted to strengthen the long-term evidence base.
METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang were searched from inception to April 2026. Randomized controlled trials, real-world studies, and economic evaluations of biologic therapies in Chinese patients with CD were included. Evidence was synthesized narratively because of methodological heterogeneity.
RESULTS: Seventeen studies were included, comprising 2 RCTs, 12 RWS, and 7 economic evaluations. Clinical evidence consistently demonstrated favorable effectiveness of biologic therapies. In an RCT, adalimumab achieved a clinical remission rate of 37% at Week 4, compared with 7% with placebo. Real-world studies reported clinical remission rates of 81.5% for infliximab (IFX), 55.6% for ustekinumab (UST), 43.9% for adalimumab (ADA), and 34.5% for vedolizumab (VDZ), although direct comparisons were limited by study heterogeneity. Long-term RWS further demonstrated sustained remission, endoscopic improvement, and reduced hospitalization with continued biologic therapy. Safety profiles were generally favorable. Overall adverse-event rates ranged from 4.2%-34.0% for IFX, 5.5%-37.0% for ADA, 4.9% for UST, and 4.7%-6.7% for VDZ, with biosimilars showing safety profiles comparable to those of originator products, without new safety signals. Economic evaluations demonstrated that IFX remained cost-effective under reimbursement conditions, whereas VDZ was economically dominant over conventional therapy. Among treatment strategies, the ADA→UST sequence consistently showed the greatest cost-effectiveness, while IFX biosimilars substantially reduced healthcare expenditure without compromising clinical outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Biologic therapies are effective, safe, and economically valuable for CD management in China. Treatment sequencing and biosimilar implementation may further improve value-based care and reimbursement decisions. Additional multicenter real-world studies are warranted to strengthen the long-term evidence base.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
HTA166
Topic
Health Technology Assessment
Topic Subcategory
Decision & Deliberative Processes
Disease
Gastrointestinal Disorders, No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas