Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are important in the treatment of metastatic renal cell cancer (mRCC). The aim of the study was to evaluate the costs and effects of sunitinib in mRCC.
A total of 81 mRCC patients who received first-line sunitinib therapy between 2010 and 2014 were recruited. Drug doses, laboratory and imaging studies, outpatient visits and inpatient stays were recorded. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was measured (15D- and EQ-5D - 3L questionnaires).
The cost of sunitinib (mean 22,268 €/patient range 274 € to 105,121 €) covered 73% of the total costs during the treatment period. The total treatment cost was 30,530 €/patient (range=1,661-111,516 €). The median overall survival was 17.9 months. HRQoL decreased during treatment.
The main cost during sunitinib treatment of mRCC was the drug itself (73% of the total costs). Drug costs and HRQoL should be considered when choosing treatment for mRCC.
Anticancer research. 2019 Oct [Epub]
Riikka-Liisa Vuorinen, Niina Paunu, Taina Turpeenniemi-Hujanen, Taina Reunamo, Antti Jekunen, Vesa Kataja, Harri Sintonen, Timo Purmonen, Pirkko-Liisa Kellokumpu-Lehtinen
Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland ., Department of Oncology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland., Department of Oncology, Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Cancer and Translational Research Unit, Oulu University, Oulu, Finland., Department of Oncology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland., Department of Oncology, Vaasa Central Hospital, Turku University, Vaasa, Finland., Department of Oncology, Kuopio University Hospital and Central Finland Central Hospital, Kuopio, Finland., Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland., Oy Medfiles Ltd, Kuopio, Finland., Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.