Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and economics of mecapegfilgrastim and recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) in the primary prevention of chemotherapy-related neutropenia in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Materials and methods: Data from 181 patients with NSCLC who received intermediate risk chemotherapy were collected from the information system of a tertiary hospital in China. Patients were categorized into two groups: those treated with mecapegfilgrastim (n = 91) and those treated with rhG-CSF (n = 90). The clinical efficacy rates of neutropenia prevention were used as effect indicators, and a cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system. Logistic regression, generalized linear regression, and bootstrap methods were used for sensitivity analyses.
Results: There was no statistical difference between the mecapegfilgrastim and rhG-CSF groups in clinical efficacy rates (98.9 vs. 97.8%). However, the total cost in the mecapegfilgrastim group was significantly higher than that in the rhG-CSF group (16,341.6 CNY vs. 14,371.1 CNY, p = 0.03). The cost-minimization analysis shows that mecapegfilgrastim is not cost-effective. The sensitivity analyses confirm that these results are robust.
Conclusion: Compared with rhG-CSF, mecapegfilgrastim is not a cost-effective strategy for NSCLC patients in neutropenia prevention in China.

Author Details

Authors

• Yong-Li Gu¹
• Zeng-Xian Sun¹
• Ying Sun¹
• Xin Guan²
• Dao-Li Jiang³

Departments

• ¹ Department of Pharmacy, The First People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang,
• ² School of International Pharmaceutical Business, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, and
• ³ Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China

Address

Dao-Li Jiang, MSc, Clinical pharmacist
Department of Pharmacy
The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University
Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China
Email: [email protected]

Citation