Cancer drug approvals and setbacks in 2021

e18385 Background: Value based drug pricing is emerging as an imperative health care precept in recognition of the ever-increasing drug costs, especially in oncology. Though novel therapies are regularly approved based on benefit, they are often associated with physical and financial toxicities to patients. We aimed to assess the value of FDA approved oncology drugs defined as their expected clinical benefit compared to their toxicities and costs. Methods: We reviewed all new cancer drug approvals by the FDA from 7/2008-6/2018. Current analysis was restricted to approvals based on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Data regarding approval indication, effect size, and toxicity were collected from FDA website and publications. Toxicity was estimated as adverse events ≥ grade 3 (or serious adverse events) as reported. Micromedex RED BOOK was used to estimate the total drug price using 2018 average wholesale prices. Price was estimated over 3 months to account for difference in drug regimens. Results: Among the 231 trials used by FDA for approvals in oncology, 115 had OS or PFS as their primary endpoint. Median patients per trial was 539. Of 79 trials with a PFS endpoint, the median HR was 0.50 (range: 0.15 - 0.91); median 3-month drug price was $45,903.72. Compared to the control arm, median toxicity for new drugs was 7% higher (range: -34.4 - 55%). Correlation of HR benefit to 3-month price was 0.06 (95% CI: -0.17 - 0.28, P = 0.61). Correlation of net toxicities to 3-month price was 0.01 (95% CI: -0.25 - 0.26, P = 0.94). Of 43 trials with an OS endpoint, the median HR was 0.72 (range: 0.37 - 0.94); median 3-month price was $43,523.46. Relative to control arm, median toxicity for new drugs was 4% higher (range: -34.4 - 45.8%). Correlation of HR benefit to 3-month price was 0.38 (95% CI: 0.08 - 0.62, P = 0.012). Correlation of net toxicities to 3-month price was -0.12 (95% CI: -0.45 - 0.24, P = 0.50). Conclusions: Drug approvals in oncology come with a high cost and drug prices have very little correlation with estimated benefit in outcomes and toxicities. As policies evolve to promote higher value in health care, attention should be paid to benefits of drugs in relation to pricing and using biomarker-based patient selection to maximize benefits and minimize toxicities.

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Timing of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cancer drug approvals relative to publication of clinical trial results.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.2071 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 2071-2071 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ali Raza Khaki ◽

Aakash Desai ◽

Martin W. Schoen ◽

Bishal Gyawali ◽

Eddy J. Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Cancer Drug ◽

Cancer Drugs ◽

Cancer Treatments ◽

Fda Approval ◽

Anti Cancer ◽

Accelerated Approval ◽

Drug Approvals ◽

Clinical Trial Results ◽

Careful Assessment

2071 Background: Publication of clinical trial results in peer reviewed literature is essential to inform clinicians regarding the use of new anti-cancer treatments, which often have a low therapeutic ratio and require careful assessment of risks and benefits. Publication of registration trials should precede FDA approval to facilitate evaluation and implementation of new therapies. The timing of trial publication relative to FDA drug approvals has not been systematically investigated. Methods: We collected all FDA drug approvals for a cancer indication between 2000-19. Trials were identified using FDA labels as well as drugs and publications indexed on HemOnc.org. Approvals for generics/biosimilars, non-oncology indications and label revisions without supportive evidence were excluded. Dates of approval, the approval pathway, approval type (new vs expansion), and the first full publication related to the registration were recorded. Trials and approvals were matched using available metadata. We calculated the proportion of drugs approved prior to publication overall and for those receiving accelerated approval (AA). We used logistic regression to compare rates of pre-publication approval by approval pathway and by new vs expanded approval. Results: Among a total of 378 drug approvals, 139 (37%) had pre-publication approval. Of these, the median overall time from approval to publication was 140 days (IQR 64-281 days). For those with approval after publication, median time from publication to approval was 157 days (IQR 72-359 days). The number of drugs approved pre-publication rose by 27% between the first and last quarters of the study period, though, the proportion decreased as more anti-cancer drugs have been approved in recent years (Table). More drugs were approved pre-publication through AA than regular approval (46% vs 34%, OR 1.66 [95% CI 1.03-2.70], p=0.04) and as new approvals vs. expanded approvals (45% vs 32%, OR 1.76 [95% CI 1.15-2.70], p=0.01). Conclusions: A substantial minority of FDA approvals occur before trial results are published, with the odds being higher for drugs receiving AA and for new approvals. Since clinicians rely upon published results to inform risk/benefit decisions, efforts are needed to ensure trial results are published by the time of FDA approval of new cancer drugs and indications. [Table: see text]

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