Cost analyses of granulocyte colony stimulating factor: a focus on older patients with cancer.
Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) can reduce the duration of neutropenia following intensive chemotherapy in a variety of settings. The majority of these studies have focused on small cell lung cancer. We review herein published information on costs and cost-effectiveness of G-CSF from clinical studies with patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Medline and Healthstar databases were searched for original research articles that contain cost or cost-effectiveness analyses on the subject. The cost of adjunct treatment with G-CSF was evaluated from four studies of SCLC patients. Benefits included decreased rates of febrile neutropenic events, while cost savings were not identified in three of four studies. These data may be useful to physicians faced with concerns over clinical and economic factors associated with G-CSF use as adjunct therapy for SCLC.
Bennett
Charles L
CL
The Chicago VA Healthcare System/Lakeside Division, The Midwest Center for Health Services and Policy Research, Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. cbenne@northwestern.edu
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor