Cost-effectiveness analysis of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy as first line chemotherapy for patients with unresectable advanced esophageal cancer in Japan.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy (Pembro + Chemo) is the recommended first-line therapy for advanced esophageal cancer, it remains unclear whether it is more cost-effective than chemotherapy (Chemo). We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of Pembro + Chemo versus Chemo from a Japanese healthcare payer perspective.

Methods

A partitioned survival analysis model was developed to predict costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) for Pembro + Chemo and Chemo. The model parameters were based on a previous randomized controlled trial and a nationwide administrative database in Japan. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of Pembro + Chemo compared with Chemo was estimated. A subgroup analysis on the level of PD-L1 Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥ 10 was

SUBMITTER: Kakinuma H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12450808 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature