title: Real-World Data for the Evaluation of Transarterial Radioembolization versus Sorafenib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To perform a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing the use of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with that of sorafenib in the treatment of patients with intermediate or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient-level data were consecutively recorded and collected at three oncology centers in Italy. A propensity score matching was performed to compare patients with similar clinical characteristics who underwent TARE or sorafenib treatment. Clinical data from the matched cohorts were used to populate a Markov model to project, on a lifetime horizon, life years, quality-adjusted life years, and economic outcomes associated with TARE and sorafenib for both intermediate and advanced HCC stages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Starting from data covering 389 and 241 patients who underwent TARE and sorafenib treatment, respectively, the propensity score matching yielded a total of 308 matched patients. For intermediate-stage patients, the model estimated for TARE versus sorafenib an incremental cost-utility ratio of €3,302/QALY (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €1,865 per life year gained), whereas for patients in advanced stage TARE dominated (lower costs and greater health improvements) compared with sorafenib.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From an Italian health care service perspective, TARE could be a cost-effective strategy in comparison with sorafenib for patients with intermediate or advanced HCC. The results from forthcoming randomized controlled trials comparing TARE with sorafenib will be able to confirm or reject the validity of this preliminary evaluation. In the meantime, decision makers can use these results to control and coordinate the diffusion of the technology.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Health and Social Care Management (CERGAS), Bocconi University, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: carla.rognoni@unibocconi.it.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rognoni
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Health and Social Care Management (CERGAS), Bocconi University, Milan, Italy; Evidence Synthesis and Modelling for Health Improvement (ESMI), University of Exeter Medical School, South Cloisters St Luke's Campus, Exeter, UK.
authors.forename: Oriana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ciani
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Health and Social Care Management (CERGAS), Bocconi University, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sommariva
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Health and Social Care Management (CERGAS), Bocconi University, Milan, Italy; Department of Policy Analysis and Public Management, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tarricone
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008390:Markov Chains; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D000077157:Sorafenib; D013534:Survival
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D009536:Niacinamide; D000077157:Sorafenib
keywords: TARE; cost-effectiveness; hepatocellular carcinoma; sorafenib