Recombinant TSH Shown To Be Cost-Effective In Canada

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Endocrinology
Article Date: 13 Oct 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Recombinant human TSH (Thyrogen®) represents a new alternative for preparing patients for thyroid cancer treatment and allows for patients to avoid the debilitating effects of the historical method, thyroid hormone withdrawal.

In order to destroy any residual normal and malignant tissue, many patients with thyroid cancer require radioactive iodine. In order to be effective, radioactive iodine must be given when levels of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) are elevated. In September of 2009, Recombinant human TSH was approved for this use in Canada. A recent study, "Cost-effectiveness of using recombinant human TSH prior to radioiodine ablation for thyroid cancer: the Canadian perspective," published in Value in Health, evaluates the health economic considerations of this new option for thyroid cancer care. The study was co-authored by Paul Mernagh, Arsupol Suebwongpat, and Adele Weston of Health Technology Analysts and Jay Silverberg MD of the Department of Medicine of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre at the University of Toronto.

To determine the cost-effectiveness of Recombinant human TSH, a Markov Model was developed to compare the treatment to thyroid hormone withdrawal. From the Canadian perspective, the technology generates an incremental cost per QALY (Quality Adjusted Life Year) of approximately $1500. The results were robust as multiple sensitivity analyses provided results that remained below standard thresholds for cost-effectiveness, establishing the positive value of Recombinant human TSH.

Says Dr. Silverberg, "Traditionally patients undergoing radioactive iodine treatment for well-differentiated thyroid cancer were faced with the burden of weeks of hypothyroid symptoms. Recombinant human TSH not only eliminates this burden but also represents good value in utilizing healthcare resources from a societal prospective."

Value in Health (ISSN 1098-3015) publishes papers, concepts, and ideas that advance the field of pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research and help health care leaders to make decisions that are solidly evidence-based. The journal is published bi-monthly and has a regular readership of over 4,000 clinicians, decision-makers, and researchers worldwide.

ISPOR is a nonprofit, international organization that strives to translate pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research into practice to ensure that society allocates scarce health care resources wisely, fairly, and efficiently.

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ISPOR