Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Two Chemotherapy Regiments FAC vs. Taxane for Operable Breast Cancer Patients in Indonesia.

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the deadliest cancer among women worldwide including Indonesia. Both FAC and Taxane-based chemotherapies are often used for patients with early node-positive breast cancer. However, the study regarding the cost-effectiveness of those regiments is still rare. This study aims to analyze the cost-effectiveness of Taxane versus FAC in the Indonesia setting.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients with stage I-IIIA breast cancer who had received surgery, FAC or Taxane-based adjuvant chemotherapy, and radiation were included in this study. Health-related quality of life was assessed using INA-BCHRQoL. INA-BCHRQoL was mapped to the EuroQoL 5D (EQ-5D) index calculator to get the utility score. All direct cost was retrieved from electronic medical records and hospital information system. Whereas, a questionnaire was designed to collect information about society cost from patients. ICER was counted to summarize the cost-effectiveness of two chemotherapy regiments (Taxane versus FAC). A sensitivity analysis was done to assess the uncertainty result.

RESULTS

The results showed there was no significant difference between the score of quality of life and utility in respondents who received FAC chemotherapy and Taxane-based chemotherapy. However, in terms of cost, Taxane was 6.5 times higher than the FAC group per patient for chemotherapy drugs only. Moreover, the total cost of treatments in Taxane-based chemotherapy was approximately 3.7 times more costly than the counterpart in the FAC arm (p=0.000). Taxane-based chemotherapy dominated with ICER IDR 765.213.092 per QALY gained. Overall, FAC was found more cost-effective compared to the Taxane regiment.

CONCLUSION

FAC represents the value of money compared to Taxane-based for breast cancer patients with stage I-IIIA in Indonesia.