Cost-effectiveness of the addition of CDK4/6 inhibitors to standard endocrine therapy in first-line treatment of women with advanced HR+/HER2− breast cancer in Mexico

Purpose To estimate the cost-effectiveness of adding a CDK4/6 inhibitor to standard endocrine therapy in the first-line setting for advanced HR+/HER2− breast cancer in postmenopausal and premenopausal women, from the perspective of the Mexican public healthcare system. Methods We used a partitioned survival model to simulate relevant health outcomes in a synthetic cohort of patients with breast cancer derived from the PALOMA-2, MONALEESA-2, MONARCH-3 trials for postmenopausal patients, and from the MONALEESA-7 study for premenopausal patients. Effectiveness was measured in life years gained. Cost-effectiveness is reported through incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER). Results In postmenopausal patients, palbociclib led to an increase of 1.51 life years, ribociclib of 1.58 years, and abemaciclib of 1.75 years, compared to letrozole alone. The ICER was 36,648 USD, 32,422 USD, and 26,888 USD, respectively. In premenopausal patients, ribociclib led to an increase of 1.82 life years when added to goserelin and endocrine therapy, with an ICER of 44,579 USD. In the cost minimization analysis, for postmenopausal patients, ribociclib was the treatment with the highest costs due to follow-up requirements. Conclusion Palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib demonstrated a significant increase in effectiveness in postmenopausal patients, and ribociclib in premenopausal patients, when added to standard endocrine therapy for patients with advanced HR+/HER2− breast cancer. At the national stablished willingness to pay, only the addition of abemaciclib to standard endocrine therapy in postmenopausal women would be considered cost-effective. However, differences on results between therapies for postmenopausal patients were not statistically significant (AU)

Cost-effectiveness of the addition of CDK4/6 inhibitors to standard endocrine therapy in first-line treatment of women with advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer in Mexico.

PURPOSE: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of adding a CDK4/6 inhibitor to standard endocrine therapy in the first-line setting for advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer in postmenopausal and premenopausal women, from the perspective of the Mexican public healthcare system. METHODS: We used a partitioned survival model to simulate relevant health outcomes in a synthetic cohort of patients with breast cancer derived from the PALOMA-2, MONALEESA-2, MONARCH-3 trials for postmenopausal patients, and from the MONALEESA-7 study for premenopausal patients. Effectiveness was measured in life years gained. Cost-effectiveness is reported through incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER). RESULTS: In postmenopausal patients, palbociclib led to an increase of 1.51 life years, ribociclib of 1.58 years, and abemaciclib of 1.75 years, compared to letrozole alone. The ICER was 36,648 USD, 32,422 USD, and 26,888 USD, respectively. In premenopausal patients, ribociclib led to an increase of 1.82 life years when added to goserelin and endocrine therapy, with an ICER of 44,579 USD. In the cost minimization analysis, for postmenopausal patients, ribociclib was the treatment with the highest costs due to follow-up requirements. CONCLUSION: Palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib demonstrated a significant increase in effectiveness in postmenopausal patients, and ribociclib in premenopausal patients, when added to standard endocrine therapy for patients with advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer. At the national stablished willingness to pay, only the addition of abemaciclib to standard endocrine therapy in postmenopausal women would be considered cost-effective. However, differences on results between therapies for postmenopausal patients were not statistically significant.

Factors associated with the evaluation of geriatric assessment (GA) domains by oncology specialists in Mexico.

The use of geriatric assessment (GA) by oncology specialists in Mexico is low. We aimed to explore factors associated with the evaluation of individual GA domains by Mexican oncology specialists. We performed an exploratory analysis of a sequential explanatory mixed-methods study consisting of an online cross-sectional survey of Mexican oncology specialists and follow-up interviews on the use of GA in cancer care. For each GA domain, we performed multivariable logistic regression analyses with the frequency of evaluation of the domains as the dependent variable (dichotomised as never/rarely/sometimes versus most of the time/always). A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Qualitative data from the interviews were analysed inductively. Of 196 respondents, 62% were male, 50% were surgical oncologists, 51% took care of >10 patients per day and 61.7% had access to a geriatrician. Self-perceived confidence in managing common geriatric conditions was associated with the evaluation of specific GA domains. For instance, self-perceived confidence in managing dementia (OR 2.72; 95% CI 1.42-5.51, p = 0.008) was associated with cognition evaluation, while for evaluation of falls, self-perceived confidence in evaluation of falls (OR 6.31; 95% CI 3.19-12.46, p < 0.001) was significantly associated. Follow-up interviews showed quality and appropriateness of evaluations may not be ideal: in many cases, physicians do not use guideline-recommended tools. For example, evaluation of cognition is commonly performed through non-validated methods which may miss the detection of patients with an impairment in this domain, partly due to limitations in knowledge and time to use recommended tools. In conclusion, self-perceived confidence in evaluating and managing common situations in older adults was associated with the evaluation of GA domains as part of everyday practice in a sample of oncology specialists in Mexico. This analysis supports the use of educational interventions to boost knowledge and confidence regarding the proper use of validated GA tools among oncology specialists.

Real-world data in patients with BRCA mutated breast cancer treated with poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer globally. Hereditary breast cancer accounts for 10% of new cases and 4%-5% of cases are associated to pathogenic variants in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. In recent years, poly-adenosine-diphosphate-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) olaparib and talazoparib have been approved for patients with BRCA-associated, HER2 -negative breast cancer. These drugs have shown positive results in the early and advanced setting with a favourable toxicity profile based on the OlympiAD, OlympiA and EMBRACA phase 3 trials. However, patients included in these randomised trials are highly selected, making toxicity and efficacy in patients encountered in routine clinical care a concern. Since the approval of olaparib and talazoparib for advanced human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-negative) breast cancer, several phase IIIb-IV trials, expanded access cohorts, and retrospective cohorts have provided information on the efficacy and tolerability of these treatments in patient subgroups underrepresented in the registration trials, such as older adults, patients with poor performance status, and heavily pretreated patients. The aim of this review is to present a critical review of the information regarding the use of PARPi in real-world breast cancer patients.

Addressing the Needs of Older Adults With Cancer in Low- and Middle-Income Settings.

The number of older adults in the world is projected to increase steeply over the next 30 years; most older adults will live in low- and middle-income countries. This will have a direct impact on the global cancer burden, as cancer is largely a disease of aging. A revolution in the way we care for older adults in low- and middle-income settings is needed to meet rapidly rising demands. Regardless of a nation's relative wealth or resources, implementing the geriatric assessment in cancer care has presented a challenge because of omission of the principles of geriatric oncology from formal training and continuing education, lack of time, and a shortage of qualified personnel. To meet the challenge of caring for older adults globally, we must: (1) re-imagine aging-focused training for providers and nurses, (2) create and strengthen collaborations/partnerships between geriatric oncology teams and aging-service organizations, and (3) increase advocacy for age-friendly health care policy. By harnessing technology, the reach of specialized oncology education and care can be extended even-or especially-to low- and middle-income settings.

Predicting Life Expectancy for Older Adults with Cancer in Clinical Practice: Implications for Shared Decision-making.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The calculation of noncancer-specific life expectancy can guide shared decision-making and avoid over- and undertreatment in older adults with cancer. Several factors determine life expectancy, including socio-demographic background, comorbidities, physical performance, and geriatric assessment variables. We present an overview of existing tools to estimate life expectancy, as well as practical examples of how to take into account the patient's noncancer-specific life expectancy when discussing screening decisions, initiation of treatment, and end-of-life care. RECENT FINDINGS: Life expectancy prognostication has been recently recommended by international societies as part of the initial assessment of all older adults with cancer. Additionally, online resources have been created in order to make life expectancy calculation tools accessible for clinicians. Understanding available methods to estimate life expectancy, as well as how to utilize them, is a fundamental part of geriatric oncology that should be integrated into everyday clinical practice.