Factors influencing the reimbursement of cancer drugs in Europe: A scoping review.

RATIONALE: Reimbursement process of oncology drugs in Europe occurs within a complex decision-making process that varies between Member States. Distinctions between the States trigger societal debates since it is necessary to balance access to medicines and health systems sustainability. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to review the evidence concerning factors associated with the reimbursement decision or Health Technology Agency recommendation of oncology drugs in Europe. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in two databases from inception to august 2023. Screening and data extraction were performed by pairs. RESULTS: Thirteen articles were included and encompassed data from 11 nations. Seven articles showed that cost-effective (C-E) drugs and lower Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratios (ICERs) had higher likelihood of reimbursement. Disease severity might influence the reimbursement decision with financial agreements. Improvement in clinical outcomes, substantial clinical benefit (p < 0.01) or overall survival gains (p < 0.05) were positively associated. Orphan drug designation impact varies between countries but positive decisions are usually achieved under specific conditions. Clinical and C-E uncertainty frequently led to reimbursement with financial agreements or outcomes-based conditions. Sociodemographic factors as: social health insurance system, higher Gross Domestic Product and larger elderly population were positively associated with reimbursement (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: There is a need for further research into key determinants of reimbursement decisions in Europe and the development of drug access models that can effectively address and overcome costs and effectiveness uncertainties.

Práctica clínica en prevención de migraña con anticuerpos monoclonales del péptido relacionado con el gen calcitonina: evidencias de casos reales / Clinical practice in prevention of migraine with calcitonin-gene related peptide monoclonal antibodies: real-world evidence

Introducción: Los anticuerpos monoclonales (mAbs) del péptido relacionado con el gen de la calcitonina (CGRP) son un novedoso tratamiento para prevenir la migraña crónica y la episódica de alta frecuencia. Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional, retrospectivo, multicéntrico para analizar la efectividad y seguridad de los mAbs anti-CGRP (erenumab, galcanezumab, fremanezumab). La variable de efectividad fue la reducción en los días de migraña al mes (MMDs). La seguridad se midió con los efectos adversos descritos. Resultados: Los resultados de 127 pacientes muestran efectividad similar entre erenumab y galcanezumab en la reducción de los MMDs. Una proporción importante de pacientes cambió de mAb por pérdida de respuesta o fallo primario tras una media de 7 meses: 15,11% erenumab; 24% galcanezumab. Algunos pacientes se trataron con-comitantemente con toxina botulínica A: 8,13% erenumab; 12% galcanezumab; 6,25% fremanezumab. Más del 60% de pacientes habían sido tratados previamente con toxina botulínica A con falta de respuesta tras varias dosis. Se describieron efectos adversos cardiovasculares (dolor en el pecho, taquicardia) exclusivamente en pacientes con erenumab. Conclusiones: La práctica clínica actual se basa en el intercambio de mABs anti-CGRP en casos de falta de respuesta o migraña refractaria, aunque su evidencia es limitada y se ha demostrado que la efectividad entre los tres fármacos es equivalente. Las Agencias Reguladoras recomiendan un período de 12 semanas para evaluar la efectividad del mAb. La mitad de los pacientes refirieron falta de seguimiento por Neurología. Los farmacéuticos clínicos son nece-sarios en la atención integrada de la migraña. (AU)

Introduction: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are novel therapeutic option for prevention of chronic migraine (CM) and high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM). Method: An observational, retrospective, multicentre, real-world evidence study was developed to analyse the ef-fectiveness and safety of anti-CGRP mAbs (erenumab, galcanezumab, fremanezumab). Effectiveness was measured by monthly migraine days (MMDs) reduction. Adverse events were recorded for safety outcome. Results: Results from 127 patients showed similar effectiveness between erenumab and galcanezumab in MMDs reduction. A notable proportion of patients switched of mAb because of loss of response or primary no-response after seven months: 15.11% erenumab; 24% galcanezumab. Some patients were concomitant treated with Onabot-ulinumtoxin A (Onabot A): 8.13% erenumab; 12% galcanezumab; 6.25% fremanezumab. More than 60% of the total were previously treated with Onabot A with loss of response. Cardiovascular adverse events are exclusively reported by erenumab group (chest pain, tachycardia). Conclusions: Current clinical practice is based on switching of CGRP mAbs after loss of response or refractory mi-graine, even though evidence for this practice is limited and effectiveness between the drugs has been demonstrat-ed to be equivalent. The period of 12 weeks since the first dose of the CGRP mAb, recommended by Regulatory Agencies, should be respected to determine if the mAb selected is being ineffective. At least, half of the patients complained about lack of follow-up by reference neurologist. Clinical pharmacists are important to help these pa-tients manage the burden of migraine. (AU)

Fumarase deficiency: a difficult diagnosis and a challenging treatment approach

Introduction: Fumarase deficiency is a rare autosomal metabolic disease that curse with hypotonia, hyperlacticaemia and seizures. Diagnosis based in laboratory test might be done carefully, as most of metabolic diseases present similar symptomatology: hypotony, convulsions, lactic and pyruvic acidemia. Method: The objective is to analyse the pharmacological and nutritional approach of a neonate who presented symptoms of metabolic congenital disorders.Results:The patient is a three-month girl with heterozygote mutation in fumarase gene, who presented clinical manifestations of the altered enzyme function. She presented hyperlacticaemia, organic aciduria and alterations of amino acid levels. First diagnosis suspected was pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency, so nutritional treatment with ketogenic diet was initiated. After medical discharge, she was hospitalized in emergency basis with cardiac arrest and metabolic decompensation. Genetic test revealed a heterozygote mutation in fumarase. Clinical symptomatology could have worsened because of the difficult diagnosis. Conclusions: Nutritional and pharmacological treatment of fumarase deficiency is considered essential for the patient’s evolution, but further researchers must be carried out to profoundly understand the mechanism underlying metabolic inborn errors. Multidisciplinary teams would manage the disease from the point of view of diverse clinician experts so the correct diagnosis and treatment would be decided with precision(AU)

Introducción: El déficit de fumarasa es una enfermedad rara del metabolismo, autosómica, que cursa con hipotonía, hiperlactacidemia y convulsiones. El diagnóstico basado en pruebas de laboratorio debe realizarse con precaución ya que la mayoría de enfermedades relacionadas con el metabolismo presentan la misma sintomatología: hipotonía, convulsiones y acidemia láctica y pirúvica. Método: Analizar retrospectivamente el manejo farmacológico y nutricional de un neonato con síntomas relacionados con errores del metabolismo congénitos.Resultados:La paciente de 3 meses de vida presentaba una mutación heterocigota en el gen de la fumarasa y síntomas relacionados con la alteración de la función enzima. La paciente presentaba hiperlactacidemia, aciduria orgánica y alteraciones analíticas de los aminoácidos. El primer diagnóstico supuesto fue un déficit de piruvato deshidrogenasa, por lo que se inició tratamiento nutricional con dieta cetogénica. Tras el alta de la paciente, volvió a ingresar por urgencias sufriendo una parada cardíaca y descompensación metabólica. El test genético reveló la presencia de una mutación heterocigota en el gen de la fumarasa. La sintomatología clínica pudo haber empeorado debido al difícil diagnóstico. Conclusiones: El tratamiento farmacológico y nutricional del déficit de fumarasa es esencial para la buena evolución del paciente, pero es necesario que se realicen más estudios para entender con profundidad el mecanismo de los errores congénitos del metabolismo Los equipos multidisciplinares permiten manejar la enfermedad desde distintos puntos de vista clínicos para un diagnóstico correcto y poder decidir el tratamiento adecuado con precisión(AU)