title: [Cost analysis of XELOX and FOLFOX-4 chemotherapy regimens for colorectal carcinoma].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of our study was to compare healthcare-related costs of treatment with XELOX and FOLFOX4 chemotherapeutic regimens in patients with colorectal cancer. We have evaluated costs claimed to the health insurance by the hospital administering these cancer therapies. This study is a pilot project utilising the new I-COP database developed by the Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses of the Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic.
  
  
  METHODS
  First, we estimated the costs based on current prices of procedures, medication, and materials from public sources. Using the I-COP database, we then carried out a matched-pair comparison of 26 patients treated with FOLFOX4 or XELOX for colorectal cancer. We evaluated a period of three months of therapy (i.e. 6 cycles of FOLFOX4 or 4 cycles of XELOX). Statistical analysis was done using the Wilcoxon matched pairs test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The estimated cost for three months of therapy was 148,288 Czech crowns (CZK) for FOLFOX4 (including CZK 101,064 for chemotherapy drugs) and CZK 123,756 for XELOX. The overall costs claimed to the insurance companies were CZK 160,158 and CZK 151,176 for FOLFOX4 and XELOX, respectively (p = 0.221). The XELOX regimen had significantly higher costs for chemotherapy drugs (CZK 131,705 versus 114,531, p = 0.023) whereas other costs were lower than those for FOLFOX4.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FOLFOX4 and XELOX regimens can be considered as equivalent in terms of costs claimed by the hospital administering cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Onkologicka klinika1. LF UK a Thomayerovy nemocnice, Praha. tomas.buchler@ftn.cz
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Büchler
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nohejlová Medková
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kupec
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bláha
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pavlík
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dušek
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abrahámová
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069287:Capecitabine; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D018153:Czech Republic; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010071:Oxaloacetates
chemical_list: D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D010071:Oxaloacetates; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil