Cost-Effectiveness Analyses of General Tar-geted Therapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Can-cer: a Systematic Review

Abstract

The thesis performs a systematic review of cost-effectiveness (CE) evaluation studies on targeted therapy procedures for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It identifies the work done in this field, establishes the relative comparisons and common approaches of CE studies of these treatments, gains a concluded under-standing of the topic, identifies potential areas for additional research, identifies shortcomings of examined CE studies, identifies which areas need additional in-vestigation and critiques the studies as well as suggests improvements. A total of 51 studies were found that matched the search words and inclusion criteria. 13 were finally included in the review. The overall quality of cost-effectiveness analyses on the subject was rather satisfactory. Data (immature data, lack of survival data), costs (not all costs included), discounting and overall as-sumptions of CEAs is where improvements could be made. In first-line treatment it was concluded erlotinib showed ambiguous results. Also in first-line treatment bevacizumab was shown as cost-effective. In the second-line therapy erlotinib was shown as cost-effective. On the basis of studies assessed tar-geted drugs appear to be a superior therapy. Erlotinib was compared to chemother-apy or placebo in most papers.