Estimating the Lifetime Medical Cost Burden of an Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Patient

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) has the potential for curative outcomes in a variety of hematologic malignancies but are often associated with adverse events, specifically chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) that results in significant financial toxicity for the payer, provider and patient. Despite several economic evaluations, there is limited evidence on the lifetime burden of treated all-HCT patients. Our colleagues recently participated in the development of a health economic model to estimate both the near and long-term health outcomes and unmet need remaining from allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). The lifetime per-patient costs ranged were estimated to range from $942,373 to $1,247,917. When looking at the costs by time and category, 23% to 30% of costs were incurred in the 1st 100 days, and 37% to 53% were attributable to chronic GVHD. Improvements in outcomes from new treatments have the potential to address a significant proportion of this unmet as well as avoid the need for costly chronic GVHD treatments that are utilized as a form of supportive care.

Citation: Maziarz, R. T., Devine, S., Garrison, L. P., Agodoa, I., Badaracco, J., Gitlin, M., & Perales, M.-A. (2023). Estimating the lifetime medical cost burden of an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation patient. Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtct.2023.06.013