Pharmacoeconomics of novel pharmacotherapies in triple-negative breast cancer

Introduction: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents the most aggressive breast cancer subtype carrying unfavorable clinical outcomes. Although traditionally chemotherapy has represented the only systemic treatment option available, novel drugs have changed the treatment landscape, granting approval by regulatory agencies worldwide, while determining new economic struggles on health systems for their high prices.Areas covered: In this review, we provided a comprehensive analysis of pharmacoeconomic studies of drugs recently approved in the early and advanced settings of TNBC.Expert opinion: Novel systemic treatment options redefined the therapeutic algorithms for TNBC by establishing new paradigms, based on substantial clinical benefits. Pembrolizumab and olaparib in the curative setting portend high value, as shown with the use of value frameworks, resulting in cost-effective interventions. In the metastatic setting, new drugs have demonstrated mixed improvements in patient-centric end-points, resulting often in interventions unlikely to have good value for money. We believe that cost-effectiveness alone is not a metric to inform the opportunity to invest on new interventions, while the intrinsic value of medicines should be the driver of the decisions. We endorse a patient-centric priority setting that can ensure health system sustainability, to timely deliver innovative cancer care to all in need and positively impact on population health.

Automated summary

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer with unfavorable outcomes, traditionally had limited systemic treatment options. However, novel drugs have been approved and are causing economic challenges due to their high prices.