OBJECTIVES

Medical expenditures for cancer are expected to increase 27% in 2020 relative to 2010. This study examined inpatient and ER admissions and associated costs to describe key cost drivers for mPC patients.

METHODS

IQVIA PharMetrics Plus administrative claims database data were used to identify and analyze adult patients with mPC treated between January 1, 2014 and May 31, 2019. Patients were required to have continuous health coverage for ≥ 6 months prior to and ≥ 3 months after the first treatment date post-metastatic diagnosis with no treatment using NCCN guideline-recommended chemotherapy within 60 days prior to index date. Mean all-cause per patient costs were assessed for inpatient and ER admissions during treatment. Treatment regimens included were: FOLFIRI, FOLFOX, FOLFIRINOX, gemcitabine+nab-paclitaxel (gem+nab-P), and liposomal irinotecan (lip-IRI).

RESULTS :

2,731 mPC patients (median age: 59y; IQR 54-64) were included. Among patients treated in any line, 101 (3.7%) were treated with lip-IRI, 1,316 (48.2%) were treated with gem+nab-P, 612 (22.4%) with FOLRINOX, 281 (10.3%) with FOLFOX, and 208 (7.6%) with FOLFIRI. Mean all-cause inpatient admissions costs per patient were lowest for patients receiving lip-IRI compared to other included regimens (FOLFIRI-$12,667, FOLFOX-$11,393, FOLFIRINOX-$13,872, gem+nab-P-$13,246, lip-IRI-$8,220). Similarly, mean all-cause ER admissions costs per patient were lowest for patients receiving lip-IRI compared to other included regimens (FOLFIRI-$697, FOLFOX-$773, FOLFIRINOX-$1,348, gem+nab-P-$1,052, lip-IRI-$644).

CONCLUSIONS

This claims analysis found that mean all-cause costs for inpatient and ER visits during treatment were highest for those receiving FOLFIRINOX and gem+nab-P, and lowest for those receiving lip-IRI. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of treatment on inpatient and ER costs among treated mPC patients.