Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare and incurable disease, and patients currently experience a lack of treatment options in Australia. This analysis evaluated the cost-effectiveness of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) compared with standard of care therapy for the treatment of patients with erythrodermic (stage T , M ) CTCL, who are refractory to previous systemic treatment.
A Markov model was developed from the perspective of the Australian government. Health states were treatment specific and transition probabilities were modeled from time-to-next-treatment data from a published Australian observational study of ECP and comparator treatments. Quality of life utility values were based on psoriasis as a proxy for CTCL, which was validated by consultation with local clinicians. The time horizon for the model was 5 years. The ECP treatment regimen was compared with a weighted treatment comparator based on results of a treatment survey and Australian prescribing data.
ECP as a second-line treatment option for CTCL was less costly and more effective than other treatment strategies. ECP had an average cost saving of $37 592 and incremental quality-adjusted life-year gained of 0.20 to 0.21, attributed to patients being able to better tolerate ECP thus avoiding subsequent treatment with high-cost alternatives.
This is the first published cost-utility analysis of ECP for CTCL. This analysis demonstrates that ECP is a cost-effective option for the treatment of patients with erythrodermic CTCL in Australia.