A systematic review of economic evaluations for RPE65-mediated inherited retinal disease including HTA assessment of broader value

Objective: To summarize the key methodological challenges identified by health technology assessment (HTA) agencies assessing gene therapy (GT) and consideration of broad elements of value. Method: Economic evaluations (EEs) of voretigene neparvovec (VN) in RPE65-mediated inherited retinal disease (IRD) published in English were selected. HTA evaluations from Australia, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, England, and the United States were reviewed. An existing methodological framework was used to identify the challenges and considerations. Results: Eight unique EEs were identified of which six were evaluated by HTA agencies. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios ranged from $68,951 to $643,813 per quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) gained (healthcare perspective) and dominant to $480,130 per QALY gained (societal perspective). The key challenges were the lack of validated surrogate outcome, utility values and indirect costs from IRD patients, and limited evidence of the long-term treatment effect. Two HTA agencies reviewed a range of novel broader elements of value and whether they were associated with VN while other agencies discussed some elements of broader value. Caregiver disutility was included in some, but not all, evaluations. Conclusion: The methodological challenges were consistent with innovative interventions for rare diseases and managed using standard methods. Broader value was important to decision-makers but inconsistently applied across agencies. Possible reasons are limitations in the evidence available of the broader benefits that VN offers and how to incorporate these within an EE. A need exists for greater guidance and consistency across jurisdictions regarding the consideration of broader value that considers latest best practice.

Automated summary

This study aims to summarize the key methodological challenges faced by health technology assessment (HTA) agencies in assessing gene therapy, as well as the consideration of broad elements of value. The study selected economic evaluations of voretigene neparvovec (VN) in RPE65-mediated inherited retinal disease (IRD) published in English. The key challenges identified include the lack of validated surrogate outcome, utility values and indirect costs from IRD patients, and limited evidence of the long-term treatment effect.