Assessing the charges associated with hematopoietic stem cell mobilization and remobilization in patients with lymphoma and multiple myeloma undergoing autologous hematopoietic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to perform a detailed analysis of the charges associated with chemomobilization and remobilization of autologous hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and to quantify medical costs and resource utilization associated with these procedures.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients with lymphoma underwent chemomobilization with ifosfamide and etoposide with or without rituximab (IE ± R). Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) received a modified hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone (hyper-CVAD) regimen after failing to mobilize with growth factors only.

RESULTS: Between January 2004 and October 2006, 98 patients with lymphoma underwent HSC mobilization with IE ± R. Mobilization with IE ± R was effective, with 90.8% of patients collecting at least 2 × 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg. The total charges for treatment were $27,996 and $37,667 for patients mobilized with IE and IE + R, respectively. Hospital readmission for complications occurred in 26.5% of patients, resulting in additional charges of $10,356. The preapheresis procedure charge was estimated to be $2522, the charge for a 2-day apheresis session was $5160, and the postapheresis phase resulted in charges of $8040. Our analysis determined that reducing apheresis by 1 day has the potential to save $6600. We also performed a retrospective analysis of 16 patients with MM remobilized with a modified hyper-CVAD regimen. Remobilization was successful, with 87.5% of patients. Our analysis determined that mobilization, preapheresis, apheresis, and postapheresis phase charges were $24,968, $2522, $6158, and $12,060, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Optimization of HSC mobilization regimens to reduce failure rates would not only benefit patients but also reduce the overall medical costs.