OBJECTIVES : The GALLIUM study (NCT01332968) demonstrated that obinutuzumab in combination with chemotherapy (G-chemo) significantly prolongs progression-free survival (PFS) compared with rituximab (R-chemo) in patients with previously untreated follicular lymphoma (FL). Improved PFS potentially enables patients to pursue everyday activities and hence provide social and economic gains. Our aim was to quantify the aggregate productivity gains for patients with FL in China treated with first-line G-chemo.

METHODS : We used population-based incidence estimates of FL in China to inform an open cohort dynamic prediction model for the years 2020–2030. Gains in PFS associated with the use of G-chemo were projected to first-line FL patients treated with systemic therapy. Using Chinese patient data (age, gender and employment) from both the 2019 Lymphoma Patient Survey (conducted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, House 086 and the Illness Challenge Foundation) and the 2008 Chinese time-use survey (National Bureau of Statistics) to evaluate unpaid work activities, and return to work data reported in Mehnert et al. 2011, we translated these PFS advantages into activity and productivity gains.

RESULTS : Our model predicted that of the estimated 60,000 FL patients treated from 2020─2030, 24,749 overall progression-free years could be gained by utilizing G-chemo vs R-chemo. Using a 3% discount rate, this corresponded to direct total productivity gains of approximately 1292 million Chinese Yuan (CNY) in paid and 656 million CNY in unpaid activities. Due to higher labor market participation, direct gains were higher for men than for women. Informal care gains derived by household work and family care were higher for women.

CONCLUSIONS : Our analysis demonstrates the potential economic benefits of G-Chemo for first-line treatment of FL in China. The prolonged higher productivity, attributed to PFS gains, suggests that any incremental treatment costs may be offset by societal gains.