Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Triptorelin versus Leuprolide in the Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer

Analisi di costo efficacia di triptorelina rispetto a leuprorelina nel trattamento del tumore alla prostata in stadio avanzato

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of triptorelin versus leuprolide in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Methods Based on the results of a clinical study, we built a model in which two cohorts of patients received triptorelin (3.75 mg) or leuprolide (7.5 mg). The agents were injected intramuscularly every 28 days. The analysis was conducted from the perspective of the Italian National Health Service. We considered the efficacy of treatments (overall survival) and direct medical costs (pharmacological and administration costs, value year 2015). Sensitivity and threshold analyses on key clinical and economic parameters were performed. Results The model results showed that triptorelin increased life expectancy compared to leuprolide (0.972 LYs vs. 0.925 LYs). Triptorelin showed the higher pharmacological treatment cost (€953.86 vs. €882.91). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for life-years gained of triptorelin were €1,506.87. Sensitivity analyses confirmed robustness of results. Conclusions This economic evaluation suggests that triptorelin is cost-effective versus leuprolide in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.