Dataset Information

Immune checkpoint inhibitors: immune-related adverse events, healthcare utilization, and costs among commercial and Medicare Advantage patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are increasingly used across multiple cancer types and stages and little is known about real-world outcomes. This study sought to determine healthcare utilization, costs, immune-related adverse events (irAEs), and all-cause mortality of single-agent versus combination ICI in the USA.

Materials and methods

This is a retrospective study conducted with 2016-2018 data from the HealthCore Integrated Research Database, consisting of commercial and Medicare-insured adult patients with a cancer diagnosis using ICI in the USA. Outcomes were healthcare utilization, costs, and irAEs (FDA-recognized and others) up to 1-year post-index between patients using ICI monotherapy (mono, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor) and combination therapy (combo, PD-1/PD-L1 with CTLA-4 inhibitors).

Results

In total, 9084 patients received monotherapy and 904 patients received combo therapy. Mean age 65 years for mono and 58 years for combo. Overall, the combo arm had higher rates of FDA-recognized irAEs (67.4% vs. 45.9%), especially endocrinopathies (27.7% vs 14.7%) and dermatitis (25.9% vs. 12.4%). All-cause mortality over 1-year follow-up was similar, 30.7% in mono vs 30.8% in combo arms. The combo group had higher rates of all-cause inpatient hospitalizations (55.4% mono vs 65.6% combo) and emergency department (ED) visits (33.7% mono vs 41.4% combo). IrAE-related hospitalizations were higher in combo (55.2% vs 42.1%). IrAE-related ED visits were 15.7% mono vs 22.7% combo. This increased toxicity and health care utilization was reflected in significant differences in healthcare costs. Stark differences were seen in all-cause medical costs as well as costs related to inpatient and ED utilization and costs attributed to irAEs.

Conclusions

Higher rates of irAEs, healthcare utilization, and costs occur with combination immunotherapy. As further indications are approved for combination ICI, our study highlights the real-world tradeoffs involved with combination therapy regarding burdens of toxicity and increased healthcare utilization.

SUBMITTER: Gunturu KS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8942885 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Immune checkpoint inhibitors: immune-related adverse events, healthcare utilization, and costs among commercial and Medicare Advantage patients.

Gunturu Krishna S KS Pham Timothy T TT Shambhu Sonali S Fisch Michael J MJ Barron John J JJ Debono David D

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer 20220121 5

<h4>Background</h4>Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are increasingly used across multiple cancer types and stages and little is known about real-world outcomes. This study sought to determine healthcare utilization, costs, immune-related adverse events (irAEs), and all-cause mortality of single-agent versus combination ICI in the USA.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>This is a retrospective study conducted with 2016-2018 data from the HealthCore Integrated Research Database, consisting of commerci ...[more]

PMID: 35064328

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Dataset Information

Immune checkpoint inhibitors: immune-related adverse events, healthcare utilization, and costs among commercial and Medicare Advantage patients.

Background

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Immune checkpoint inhibitors: immune-related adverse events, healthcare utilization, and costs among commercial and Medicare Advantage patients.

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