Zhou K, et al. – The efficacy and cost–effectiveness of second–line treatment were examined for elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). In view of its efficacy and cost–effectiveness, second–line chemotherapy was an optimal strategy for this group of patients.

Methods

• Experts gathered medical records and follow-up information of elderly patients (≥70 years) with AGC who received second-line chemotherapy.
• They developed a Markov model comprising three health states PFS, progressive disease and death to simulate the process of AGC.
• From the perspective of Chinese society, cost was calculated.
• In order to explore the impact of essential variables, sensitivity analyses were applied.

Results

• This study entailed forty-three elderly patients with AGC receiving second-line chemotherapy.
• As per the observations, the median OS was 6.0 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.90–8.10) and PFS was 3.1 months (95% CI 1.38–4.82).
• They did not observe any treatment-related death.
• Diarrhea (2.3%), leukopenia (16.3%) and nausea (7.0%) were the most frequently drug-related grade 3/4 Aes.
• As compared to BSC, the incremental cost-effective ratio was $18,223.75/QALY for second-line chemotherapy.
• Moreover, this ratio was below the threshold of 3× the per capita GDP of China, $23,970.00.