Cost-Effectiveness of Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for ovarian Cancer

PURPOSE Two recent clinical trials have demonstrated that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are effective as venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in patients with moderate-to-high risk ambulatory cancer initiating chemotherapy. Patients with advanced ovarian cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy are at particularly increased risk of VTE. We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis from a health system perspective to determine if DOACs are a feasible prophylactic strategy in this population. METHODS A simple decision tree was created from a health system perspective, comparing two strategies: prophylactic DOAC taken for 18 weeks during chemotherapy versus no VTE prophylaxis. Rates of VTE (7.3% DOAC v13.6% no treatment), major bleeding (2.6% v1.3%), and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (4.6% v 3.3%) were modeled. Cost estimates were obtained from wholesale drug costs, published studies, and Medicare reimbursement data. Probabilistic, one-way, and two-way sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS In the base case model, DOAC prophylaxis is more costly and more effective than no therapy (in- cremental cost-effectiveness ratio = $256,218 in US dollars/quality-adjusted life year). In one-way sensitivity analyses, reducing the DOAC cost by 32% or raising the baseline VTE rate above 18% renders this strategy potentially cost-effective with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio below $150,000 in US dollars/quality-adjusted life year. CONCLUSIONS Further confirmation of the true baseline VTE rate among women initiating neoadjuvant chemotherapy for ovarian cancer will determine whether prophylactic dose DOAC is a value-based strategy. Less costly VTE prophylaxis options such as generic DOACs (once available) and aspirin also warrant investigation. (C) 2021 by American Society of Clinical Oncology

Automated summary

This study analyzed the cost-effectiveness of using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) as VTE prophylaxis in patients with advanced ovarian cancer initiating chemotherapy from a health system perspective. The results showed that DOAC prophylaxis is more costly but more effective than no therapy in the base case model. Sensitivity analyses suggested that reducing DOAC cost or increasing the baseline VTE rate could potentially make this strategy cost-effective.