Search

Aim: To understand physician visit patterns among patients with stage IV (including nonmetastatic [M0] and metastatic [M1] disease) urothelial carcinoma (UC) and understand factors associated with a timely referral to a medical oncologist and systemic treatment. Patients & methods: Retrospective analysis of Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare data. Results: First physician encounter was with a urologist (M0: 69%; M1: 53%) or primary care physician ([PCP]; M0: 19%, M1: 25%) for the majority of patients around UC diagnosis. After the index urologist encounter, most patients had a subsequent medical oncologist visit at a median of 52 days (M0: 69.5 days, M1: 33 days). In an adjusted model, older age, index PCP visit, higher comorbidities and M0 disease were negatively associated with a medical oncologist referral. Among those referred to a medical oncologist, older age, Hispanic or non-Hispanic Black race and not being married were negatively associated with subsequent chemotherapy receipt (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Many patients with advanced UC encounter multiple specialists during their disease course. Older patients or those with a first UC-related encounter with a PCP are less likely to be referred to medical oncology. Once referred to medical oncology, social determinants, including race and marital status, are relevant predictors of receiving chemotherapy.

Supplemental digital content is available in the text., Objectives This analysis investigated nomogram use to evaluate metastatic pancreatic cancer prognosis. Methods Thirty-four baseline factors were examined in the Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Clinical Trial (MPACT) (nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine vs gemcitabine) data set. Factors significantly (P < 0.1) associated with overall survival (OS) in a univariable model or with known clinical relevance were tested further. In a multivariable model, factors associated with OS (P < 0.1) were selected to generate the primary nomogram, which was internally validated using bootstrapping, a concordance index, and calibration plots. Results Using data from 861 patients, 6 factors were retained (multivariable analysis): neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, albumin level, Karnofsky performance status, sum of longest diameter of target lesions, presence of liver metastases, and previous Whipple procedure. The nomogram distinguished low-, medium-, and high-risk groups (concordance index, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.65–0.69; median OS, 11.7, 8.0, and 3.3 months, respectively). Conclusions This nomogram may guide estimates of the range of OS outcomes and contribute to patient stratification in future prospective metastatic pancreatic cancer trials; however, external validation is required to improve estimate reliability and applicability to a general patient population. Caution should be exercised in interpreting these results for treatment decisions: patient characteristics could differ from those included in the nomogram development.

Aim: To identify and evaluate the similarity of all trials assessing recommended treatments for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Materials & methods: Single arm and randomized trials from any phase and published any time up to February 2021 were systematically searched. Results: From 5677 records reviewed, 50 trials were included in the review, and 24 for assessed for similarity. In the first-line (1L) setting, several trials assessing sorafenib were noted for enrolling patients with more severe disease and/or performance status than other 1L trials; trials within the second-line (2L) setting were generally similar. Median survival was, Lay abstract Several drugs are recommended for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We reviewed all the trials that tested these drugs. Most trials had similar design and patient criteria, except some of the early trials for sorafenib allowed patients with more severe disease. We examined the median overall survival from trials where patients were randomized to receive an active drug or a non-active drug (placebo). Patients getting their first HCC drug survived 4.0–19.2 months (active drug) or 3.5–7.9 months (placebo). Patients getting their second HCC drug survived 8.5–13.9 months (active drug) or 7.3–10.6 months (placebo). Nearly one in seven patients stopped participating in a drug trial due to adverse events. This review summarizes the clinical potential and unmet needs in drugs to treat patients with advanced HCC.

Aim: To examine the locoregional therapy (LRT) patterns and the healthcare economic burden of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the USA. Patients & methods: Patients with newly diagnosed HCC were identified from the MarketScan® databases (1 July 2015–31 May 2018). The LRTs received and all-cause and HCC-related healthcare costs were measured. Results: Among 2101 patients with HCC, most received embolization therapy as their first LRT treatment (57.8%, n = 1215); 17.1% (n = 360) received ablative therapy and 8.7% (n = 182) radiation therapy; 16.4% (n = 344) received multiple LRTs. After patients received their first LRT treatment, total all-cause healthcare costs averaged $20,316 per patient per month; 70.7% ($14,359) were HCC related. Conclusion: Among newly diagnosed HCC patients treated with LRT in the USA, the economic burden is high.

Aim: This analysis estimated the overall survival, treatment patterns and economic burden of elderly metastatic triple-negative breast cancer patients. Materials & methods: Patients (≥66 years) with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer were identified from the SEER-Medicare database. Treatment patterns were defined in terms of first, second and third or more regimens. Healthcare resource use and costs were reported over the follow-up period and over the treatment duration of each regimen. Results: A total of 51% of patients did not receive chemotherapy. Taxanes were most commonly used. Median survival was 7 months. The mean cumulative (per patient per month) cost per patient was US$73,586 (US$10,084). Mean cost in first and second regimen were US$26,950 and US$33,347. Conclusion: About half of patients did not receive chemotherapy. Receipt of increasing regimens led to higher mean costs and healthcare resource use.

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive form of liver cancer with increasing incidence and mortality worldwide. For metastatic disease, systemic treatment is recommended. In addition to tumor characteristics, adverse events (AEs) may influence regimen choice. AIM To analyze healthcare burden among patients with advanced HCC, by treatment type and AEs observed. METHODS Included were adult commercial and Medicare Advantage enrollees with ≥2 non-diagnostic claims coded for HCC (the first setting the index date); ≥1 claim for systemic treatment of advanced/metastatic HCC; and continuous enrollment for a 6-month pre-index baseline period to ≥1 month post-index (follow-up). Patients were excluded by lack of systemic treatment; incomplete demographic information; pregnancy, liver transplant, other cancers during baseline or clinical trial participation. We describe patient characteristics, common AEs, overall survival, and healthcare burden in 2017 USD up to 12 months after initiation of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) monotherapy; immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy; or FOLFOX combination therapy. RESULTS The analytic sample consisted of 322 patients (median age 65.8 years, 76% male) who had 12 months' (unless death occurred prior) available follow-up, with median follow-up of 9 months. Among these, 241 (75%) had TKI monotherapy, 23 (7%) had ICI monotherapy, and 58 had FOLFOX (18%) first-line treatment. Overall, patients had a high burden of AEs (mean 3.2), with the most prevalent being pain (75%), infection (39%), ascites (34%), and bleeding (29%). After adjusting for covariates, infection ($50 374), fever ($47 443), and diarrhea ($29 912) imposed the highest incremental annual costs versus patients without the AE. Up to 90% of costs were attributable to inpatient admissions, with 56% to 60% involving intensive care. Median 1-year survival was 32%. CONCLUSIONS This real-world study demonstrated AE burden in alignment with previous clinical studies. Regardless of regimen used, AEs are associated with substantial healthcare costs due to inpatient care.

This study assessed the real-world United States (US) treatment patterns and the associated economic burden in patients diagnosed with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The MarketScan database was used to identify patients newly diagnosed with HCC who received systemic therapy between 2011 and 2018 and continuously enrolled for ≥6 months (baseline period) prior and ≥1 month following HCC diagnosis. Treatment patterns (systemic and locoregional therapy), healthcare resource utilization, and costs were reported during follow-up. The final sample included 1580 patients (median age, 61; 78% male; median follow up, 8.7 months). The most common first line of therapy (LOT) was sorafenib (78%). The median time from HCC diagnosis to start of sorafenib was 43 days, and the median duration of sorafenib therapy was 60 days. Only 17% of patients received second LOT, and non-sorafenib treatment use increased to 66% (mostly chemotherapy combination). Transarterial chemoembolization was the most commonly observed locoregional therapy prior to the first LOT. The multivariable-adjusted average all-cause total cost among sorafenib treated patients was $17,642 (95% CI: $16,711–$18,558) per-patient per-month), of which $11,393 were HCC-specific. In patients who received first-line therapy for HCC, the duration of therapy was short (potentially due to progression or tolerability). Most patients did not continue to second-line therapy. Despite the short duration of therapy, HCC patients still incur a high economic burden, and there is a need for more effective and tolerable treatments.

Aim: To describe the epidemiologic, humanistic and economic burdens of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the USA. Materials & methods: Studies describing the epidemiology and economic burden from national cohorts, any economic models, or any humanistic burden studies published 2008–2018 were systematically searched. Results: HCC incidence was 9.5 per 100,000 person-years in most recent data, but was ∼100-times higher among patients with hepatitis/cirrhosis. Approximately a third of patients were diagnosed with advanced disease. Patients with HCC experienced poor quality of life. Direct costs were substantial and varied based on underlying demographics, disease stage and treatment received. Between 25–77% of patients did not receive surgical, locoregional or systemic treatment. Conclusion: Better treatments are needed to extend survival and improve quality of life for patients with HCC.

Background Glioblastoma (GBM) is associated with poor prognosis, large morbidity burden, and limited treatment options. This analysis evaluated real-world treatment patterns, overall survival, resource use, and costs among Medicare patients with GBM. Methods This retrospective observational study evaluated Medicare patients age 66 years or older with newly diagnosed GBM using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked data from 2007 through 2013. Patients were followed from diagnosis to death or end of follow-up. An algorithm defined treatment patterns as lines of therapy (LOTs). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival for the full sample as well as by LOT, surgical resection, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), tumor size, and age. Resource use and costs during the follow-up period were reported in terms of total and per-patient-per-month (PPPM) estimates. Results A total of 4308 patients with GBM were identified (median age, 74 years; CCI of 0, 52%). The most commonly used first LOT was temozolomide (82%), whereas chemotherapy + bevacizumab was most prevalent for second-line (42%) and third-line (58%) therapy. The median overall survival was 5.9 months for resected patients and 3 months for unresected patients, with considerable heterogeneity depending on patient characteristics. A great proportion of patients had claims for an ICU admission (86.2%), skilled nursing facility (76.9%), and home health (56.0%) in the postdiagnosis period. The cumulative mean cost was $95 377 per patient and $18 053 PPPM, mostly attributed to hospitalizations. Conclusions Limited treatment options, poor survival, and economic burden emphasize the need for novel interventions to improve care for Medicare patients with GBM.

AIM The phase III MPACT trial (N = 861) demonstrated superior overall survival (OS) with first-line nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine versus gemcitabine alone (median, 8.7 months vs 6.6 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62-0.83; P

Introduction: The Quality-Adjusted Time Without Symptoms or Toxicity (Q-TWiST) has been used to evaluate the clinical benefits and risks of oncology treatments. However, limited information is available to interpret and contextualize Q-TWiST results. Areas covered: A systematic review of Q-TWiST literature was conducted to provide contextualizing benchmarks for future studies. 51 articles with 81 unique Q-TWiST comparisons were identified. The mean (95% CI) and median absolute Q-TWiST gains for treatment versus control arms were 2.78 (1.82–3.73) months and 2.20 months across all cancers, respectively. The mean (median) relative Q-TWiST gains were 7.8% (7.2%) across all cancers. Most (88%) studies reported positive gains. The percentage of studies with relative Q-TWiST gains ≥10% (ie, clinically important difference) and ≥15% (ie, clearly clinically important difference) were 40.0% and 22.7%, respectively. Expert commentary: The relevance of Q-TWiST in assessing net clinical benefits of cancer therapy has not diminished, despite an arguably low number of published studies. The interest in such assessment is highlighted by the recent emergence of oncology value frameworks. The Q-TWiST should be compelling to clinicians as it integrates clinical information (ie, toxicity, relapse/progression, and survival) and patient preferences for each of these states into a single meaningful index.

This analysis assessed the direct medical costs of newly-diagnosed, temozolomide (TMZ)-treated glioblastoma (GBM) from the perspective of a US commercial setting.The analysis included subjects identified from the IMS PharMetrics LifeLink Plus™ claims database from January 1, 2008 to August 31, 2014 who were ≥18 years of age, had ≥1 malignant brain cancer diagnosis, had brain surgery ≤90 days prior to TMZ initiation, had TMZ treatment, and were continuously enrolled for ≥12 months pre-diagnosis and ≥1 month post-diagnosis. Per-patient per-month (PPPM) and cumulative costs from 3 months pre-diagnosis to various post-diagnosis follow-up time points were calculated. Multivariable analyses were used to estimate adjusted mean cost and identify contributors of cost.The study included 2,921 subjects (median age = 56 years; 60% male). After diagnosis, the median (interquartile range, IQR) number of inpatient, emergency department, and outpatient visits were 2 (1-4), 1 (1-3), and 19 (13-27); median (IQR) length of stay per hospitalization was 5 (3-9) days. Mean total cumulative costs per patient from 3 months pre-diagnosis to 12 months and to 5 years post-diagnosis were $201,749 (197,490-206,024) and $268,031 (262,877-274,416). Mean (SD) PPPM costs were $818 (1,128) and $7,394 (8,676) pre- and post-GBM diagnosis, respectively. The variables most predictive of cumulative costs included radiation therapy (+$81,732), ≥2 weeks of hospitalization (+$49,629), and ≥7 MRI scans (+$40,105).The direct medical costs of newly-diagnosed, TMZ-treated GBM in commercially insured patients are substantial, with estimated total cumulative costs of $268,031.

AIMS: Medicare patients with metastatic or surgically unresectable urothelial carcinoma (mUC) often receive platinum-based chemotherapy as first line of therapy (LOT) but invariably progress, requiring additional LOTs and healthcare resource use (HCRU). To better understand the evolving mUC treatment landscape, we estimated the economic burden of chemotherapy-based mUC treatments among US Medicare patients. METHODS: Newly diagnosed Medicare patients with mUC were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. Patients were followed from diagnosis to death, disenrollment, or end of study to characterize LOTs (first [LOT1], second [LOT2], and third+ [LOT3+]). Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate overall survival (OS) by LOT. HCRU and mean costs were reported over the follow-up period, LOT duration, or maximum LOT received. RESULTS: Among 1,873 eligible patients with mUC (median age, 77 years; median follow-up, 7.5 months), 1,035 (55%) received no chemotherapy. Among chemotherapy-treated patients, 61% had LOT1 only, 25% had LOT1 and LOT2 only, and 14% had ≥3 LOTs. Median OS was 8.1 months, range 4.3 (untreated) to 29.8 (LOT3+) months. HCRU frequency increased with additional LOTs. Mean cumulative per-patient cost was $82,912 for all patients, increasing with additional LOTs (untreated, $57,207; LOT1, $99,213; LOT2, $125,190; LOT3+, $163,884). Mean per-patient per-month cost was $18,827 for all patients, decreasing with increasing number of LOTs received (untreated, $27,211; LOT1, $9,601; LOT2, $7,325; LOT3+, $6,017). LIMITATIONS: Potential for treatment misclassification when using the algorithm defining LOTs and non-generalizability of results to younger patients. CONCLUSIONS: Over 50% of Medicare patients with mUC received no chemotherapy. Among chemotherapy-treated patients, most received only one LOT. Additional LOTs led to higher mean costs and HCRU, but as patients were followed longer, monthly costs decreased. As treatments evolve to include immuno-oncology agents, these findings provide a clinically relevant economic benchmark for mUC treatment across different traditional LOTs.

e16149 Background: Though the treatment landscape for HCC has changed significantly in the last several years with the refinement of liver-directed therapy techniques and the introduction of multiple new drugs, few studies have investigated the impact of the changing treatment landscape on lifetime treatment costs, particularly in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C disease. We therefore sought to investigate real-world clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, healthcare use, and costs in patients with HCC treated at a single high-volume institution in WA. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with HCC between 2007 and 2018 at a single clinical cancer center using a database containing abstracted data from the electronic medical record (EMR) linked to cancer registry data and health claims from commercial insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid. We described clinical characteristics, including BCLC stage and Child Pugh score, and treatment patterns. We investigated the mean per patient lifetime treatment costs by BCLC stage using Kaplan-Meier cost estimator methods. Results: The final cohort included 215 patients, majority white (71%), male (68%), and with underlying hepatitis C (61%). Most patients had either Child Pugh A (76%) or B (20%) liver disease and BCLC A (45%), B (20%), or C (19%) stage HCC. Only 40% of BCLC C patients received systemic chemotherapy. Mean per patient lifetime costs were highest in BCLC A ($289,318) and BCLC C ($255,430) patients and lowest in BCLC D ($123,701) patients (Table). Surgical costs, hospital costs, imaging, and outpatient visits were the major contributors to total lifetime costs in BCLC A patients. Chemotherapy costs were highest in BCLC C patients, but still were not the predominant area of spending. Conclusions: In a WA state cohort of HCC patients, mean lifetime costs were highest in patients with BCLC A disease, largely driven by surgery and hospital costs. As utilization of newer and less toxic therapies in BCLC C patients increases, mean lifetime costs in this group may surpass other stages.[Table: see text]

The purpose of this study was to estimate the risk of developing skeletal‐related events (SREs) based on site of metastasis at diagnosis and identify other predictors of developing SREs among metastatic prostate cancer patients. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using linked SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) and Medicare data and identified men over the age of 65 with incident metastatic prostate cancer diagnosed during 2005–2009. SREs included radiation (RAD), pathological fractures (PF), bone surgery (BS), and spinal cord compression (SCC). The association between site of metastasis at diagnosis and SRE was examined using a Cox proportional hazards model that accounts for death as a competing risk. Among 4404 men (median age: 79 years) with incident metastatic prostate cancer, 44% experienced SREs at a median of 9.6 months post diagnosis. Compared to bone metastasis only, our model showed that patients were significantly less likely to develop SREs if they had LN‐only metastasis at diagnosis (Sub‐Hazard Ratio [SHR] 0.56; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.43–0.72) or unknown site of metastasis (SHR: 0.79; CI: 0.64–0.97). Other predictors of reduced SRE risk were age 80+ years (SHR: 0.83; CI: 0.75–0.91), non‐Hispanic Black (SHR: 0.77; CI: 0.65–0.90), or being diagnosed in year 2009 (SHR: 0.85; CI: 0.72–0.99). Patients were significantly more likely to develop SREs if they received androgen deprivation therapy (SHR: 1.73; CI: 1.48–2.02) or had Gleason score 8–10 disease (SHR: 0.79; CI: 0.64–0.97). Compared to patients who present with bone metastasis only at diagnosis, patients presenting with other metastatic sites have similar risk of developing SREs, with the exception of those presenting with lymph node only metastasis who have a significantly reduced risk of SREs.

487 Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often diagnosed in advanced stages. While sorafenib has been the standard of care for advanced HCC, treatment guidelines are not clearly defined. We studied real world systemic lines of therapy (LOT) and economic burden in HCC patients. Methods: The MarketScan database was used to identify patients newly diagnosed with HCC (ICD-9 155.0, ICD-10 C22.0, C22.8) from 2011-2018 and continuously enrolled for ≥6 months prior and ≥1 month post HCC diagnosis. Patients with prior liver transplantation or metastasis, or other primary cancers, pregnancy, or clinical trial participation at any time were excluded. Systemic LOT were identified and ended due to discontinuation, switch, or end of follow up. Transarterial procedures (chemoembolization [TACE], radioembolization [TARE]) were also reported. Results: A total of 1,558 patients (mean age, 62; 78% male; median follow up, 8.8 months) were studied. The first LOT was mostly sorafenib (78%). The median time from HCC diagnosis to start of sorafenib was 43 days. The median duration of therapy on sorafenib was 60 days, with patients ending sorafenib use due to discontinuation (40%) or switching (6%). Only 16% of patients received second LOT, of which 10% were PD-1 inhibitors. Use of TACE and TARE over the follow up period was 15% and 12%, respectively. TACE was more prevalent prior to first LOT (11%) compared to during first LOT (4%) and between first and second LOT (6%). This trend was also observed for TARE (7%, 3%, and 4%, respectively). Patients incurred a mean all-cause total cost of $181,036 and $17,235 per-patient per-month (PPPM), of which $9494 were HCC-specific (Table). Conclusions: Most patients received sorafenib as first line in advanced HCC, but only for 2 months. Only 16% of patients receive second line therapy. HCC patients have a high economic burden and there is a need for more effective and safe treatments. [Table: see text]

Objectives To report the prevalence and severity of metamorphopsia, estimate its impact on vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) and evaluate predictors of VRQoL in patients with vitreomacular traction (VMT). Patients and methods A prospective, cross-sectional multi-centre study in the United Kingdom of 185 patients with VMT, with or without a full thickness macular hole (FTMH). Self-reported metamorphopsia was determined using the metamorphopsia questionnaire. VRQoL was assessed using the Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25). Physicians recorded clinical and ocular characteristics in both eyes including a physician assessment of metamorphopsia. ANOVA and predicted least-squares means were used to estimate the impact of metamorphopsia on VRQoL. Predictors of VRQoL were assessed using ordinary-least-squares regression adjusting for clinically important variables. Results The prevalence of self-reported metamorphopsia was 69.7% (95% CI 62.6–76.3%) and was higher in eyes with a concomitant FTMH vs. without FTMH (85.4% vs. 64.2%). Physician assessment of metamorphopsia was 53.0% (95% CI: 45.5–60.3%). Comparing eyes with metamorphopsia vs. without metamorphopsia, the VFQ-25 composite score was lower (82.3 vs. 91.4), and mean VA (LogMAR) was worse (0.44 vs. 0.33). The largest difference in VFQ-25 scores was observed for near activities (metamorphopsia: 75.3, No metamorphopsia: 90.2). The adjusted model showed that metamorphopsia severity and age were significantly associated with lower VFQ-25 scores. Conclusion Metamorphopsia was highly prevalent in patients with VMT and associated with significantly lower VRQoL. Physician assessment of symptoms underestimated the self-reported presence of metamorphopsia. Metamorphopsia severity acts as a predictor of impaired VRQoL, over and above decrements due to reduced vision.

Researchers have produced evidence that identifies interventions that reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk; however, despite a significant investment in research CVD remains the leading cause of death. Engaging patients in the research process has the potential to ensure that evidence-based treatments are adopted in real-world practice to improve patient outcomes. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute has created an Engagement Rubric to guide meaningful engagement in the research process. A 10-step systematic framework to enhance patient engagement throughout the comparative effectiveness research process also has been proposed. This special report identifies the relationship between these two approaches to patient engagement and describes examples of how patients could be engaged in a hypothetical CVD study.

Background: Some AML patients, particularly those relapsing rapidly, may not get a chance to receive a potentially curative stem cell transplant (SCT) due to early death, among other reasons. This study compares the differences in characteristics and survival of relapsed AML patients with and without SCT, as observed in a real-world setting. Methods: Relapsed AML patients aged 66-75 years were identified from the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database by medical claims associated with ICD-9 code 205.02 (2009-2014). Patients were followed from relapse to the earliest of death, SCT, or end of follow-up. Baseline characteristics were compared between relapsed AML patients with and without SCT. The SCT rates were estimated after adjusting for the competing risk of death. The Fine and Gray method was used to identify predictors of receiving SCT and were reported in terms of sub-distribution hazard ratios (SHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Kaplan-Meier estimates (reported in terms of median and 6-, 12-, and 24-months survival rates, tested with a log Rank test statistic) and a Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for age, sex, race, Census region, marital status, urban location, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), and diagnosis year (reported in terms of hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CI) was used to assess the difference in survival between patients with and without SCT. Results: Of the 474 relapsed AML patients (median age, 70 years, median follow up, 4.4 months, male, 55%) included in the study, 8% received SCT, 80% died without having SCT and 12% were administratively censored. Patients were less likely to receive SCT if they were 71-75 years old (SHR 0.28, 95% CI (0.19 to 0.41; P 3 (SHR 0.16, 95% CI (0.06 to 0.44; P Conclusions: Relapsed AML patients who received SCT experienced significantly longer survival compared to those who did not receive SCT in this elderly study population. However, only 8% of all relapsed AML patients received SCT. Therapies that bridge more patients to SCT are expected to improve overall survival in this high unmet need population. Disclosures Aly: AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Pharmerit International: Employment, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo Incorporated: Research Funding. Ray:Daiichi Sankyo Incorporated: Employment, Equity Ownership. Shah:Celgene: Research Funding; Pharmerit International: Employment, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo Incorporated: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding. Botteman:Daiichi Sankyo Incorporated: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Pharmerit International: Employment, Equity Ownership, Research Funding; Bioverativ: Consultancy, Other: Provided consulting to Bioverativ, Research Funding.

INTRODUCTION: Men diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer are at increased risk for skeletal complications which are associated with significant morbidity and enhanced mortality. Although both the urologist and the medical oncologist play important roles in the management of patients with advanced prostate cancer, there is limited information regarding their role in the context of skeletal complications. The current study investigated these relationships among newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This retrospective cohort study utilized Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results cancer registry data for incident stage IV metastatic (M1) cases diagnosed from 2000 to 2009 with linked Medicare claims. Post-diagnosis urologist and medical oncologist visits were identified using billing codes. We considered SREs that occurred after the urologist or medical oncologist visit. We used Cox proportional hazards models to examine the relationship between a physician visit and the timing of the first SRE with and without propensity-score matching to account for observable selection. RESULTS: The sample included 5,572 patients with stage IV M1 prostate cancer. Seventy-six percent of the patients were non-Hispanic White, 16% were non-Hispanic African American and 8% were of other races. Seventy-five percent of patients saw a urologist (median=19 days) and 44% saw an oncologist (median=80 days), while 41% experienced at least one SRE (median=309 days). Covariate-adjusted Cox models showed a longer time to an SRE for patients with only a medical oncologist visit (HR=0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.45 – 0.61), only a urologist visit (HR=0.35, 95% confidence interval 0.31 – 0.39) or both a urologist and medical oncologist visit (HR=0.34, 95% CI 0.31 – 0.38), compared to individuals without these visits. Among men with a urologist visit, a medical oncologist visit was not associated with the time to the first SRE (HR =0.97, 95% CI: 0.90 – 1.05). Among those without a urologist visit a medical oncologist visit was associated with a longer time to an SRE (HR =0.54, 95% CI: 0.46 – 0.64). Results were comparable using propensity-score matched samples. CONCLUSION: Among men newly-diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, 4 out of 10 patients experienced an SRE. Patients experienced a delay in skeletal complications when managed by a urologist or a medical oncologist compared to patients who did not see either specialist.

e20022Background: Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are living longer, compared to other cancers. This analysis characterized the drivers of MM cost by phases of care along the patient journey. M...

e19002Background: SCT is a potential curative option for rAML. However, many rAML patients (pts) do not receive SCT due to death or failure to achieve remission. This analysis examined the impact o...

Background Skeletal related events (SREs) are common in men with metastatic prostate cancer (mPC). Various methods have been used to identify SREs from claims data. The objective of this study was to provide a framework for measuring SREs from claims and compare SRE prevalence and cumulative incidence estimates based on alternative approaches in men with mPC. Methods Several claims-based approaches for identifying SREs were developed and applied to data for men aged [greater than or equal to] 66 years newly diagnosed with mPC between 2000 and 2009 in the SEER-Medicare datasets and followed through 2010 or until censoring. Post-diagnosis SREs were identified using claims that indicated spinal cord compression (SCC), pathologic fracture (PF), surgery to bone (BS), or radiation (suggestive of bone palliative radiation, RAD). To measure SRE prevalence, two SRE definitions were created: ‘base case’ (most commonly used in the literature) and ‘alternative’ in which different claims were used to identify each type of SRE. To measure cumulative incidence, we used the ‘base case’ definition and applied three periods in which claims were clustered to episodes: 14-, 21-, and 28-day windows. Results Among 8997 mPC patients, 46 % experienced an SRE according to the ‘base case’ definition and 43 % patients experienced an SRE according to the ‘alternative’ definition. Varying the code definition from ‘base case’ to ‘alternative’ resulted in an 8 % increase in the overall SRE prevalence. Using the 21-day window, a total of 12,930 SRE episodes were observed during follow up. Varying the window length from 21 to 28 days resulted in an 8 % decrease in SRE cumulative incidence (RAD: 10 %, PF: 8 %, SCC: 6 %, BS: 0.2 %). Conclusions SRE prevalence was affected by the codes used, with PF being most impacted. The overall SRE cumulative incidence was affected by the window length used, with RAD being most affected. These results underscore the importance of the baseline definitions used to study claims data when attempting to understand relevant clinical events such as SREs in the real world setting.

4109 Background: Prognostic nomograms have been developed in various cancers, including ovarian, breast, and gastrointestinal; however, there is limited information on nomograms in MPC. The large, phase 3 MPACT study of nab-P + Gem vs Gem alone for the treatment of MPC provides a robust database for the development of a nomogram to predict OS using baseline patient variables. Methods: A multivariable Cox model was created from MPACT data using factors that were significantly predictive of OS in univariable analysis or considered clinically important (stepwise selection to remain in model). From the Cox model, a nomogram was derived that assigned points equal to the weighted sum of relative significance of each variable. The nomogram was internally validated using bootstrapping, a concordance index (c-index), and calibration plots. Results: Data from all 861 pts were used. Seven of the 34 considered variables were retained in the multivariable analysis (Table; all factors significant at the P < 0.01 level, except for analgesic use [ P = 0.07]). The resulting nomogram was able to distinguish low (n = 216), medium (n = 430), and high (n = 215) risk groups (c-index: 0.69; CI: 0.67-0.71) with median OS values of 12.9, 8.2, and 3.7 months, respectively. Calibration curves showed that the nomogram’s predicted probabilities were mostly consistent with observed probabilities for 6-, 9-, and 12-month OS. Conclusions: Treatment arm, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), albumin level, sum of longest tumor diameters (SLD), and presence of liver metastasis were the key predictors of OS. This nomogram, which will be presented in visual format in the final presentation, may help physicians and pts make informed treatment decisions. Clinical trial information: NCT00844649. [Table: see text]

2039 Background: In clinical trials, the median OS of elderly GBM pts on standard treatment (tx) is ~9 months (mos) from diagnosis (dx), but has not been described in the real world (RW). This analysis describes RW OS for US Medicare GBM pts by LOT. Methods: GBM pts aged ≥66 years (y) were identified in SEER-Medicare (2007–2011). Pts were followed from dx to death, Medicare disenrollment or 12/31/2013. Systemic tx patterns were characterized as untreated (0L), ≥first line (1L+) and ≥second line (2L+). OS was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method from dx for 0L, and from LOT start for 1L+ and 2L+. Results: Among 2533 eligible GBM pts (median age: 74 y; Charlson comorbidity index [CCI] ≥2: 13%), 49.9% received 1L+ and only 16.3% received 2L+. Median (1-year) OS for all pts was 5.3 mos (26%), range 1.6–10.7 mos (3–45%) depending on LOT, surgical resection (R) or Biopsy alone (B), tumor size, age, and CCI (Table). Conclusions: Receipt of tx has a significant impact on OS in Medicare GBM pts. This RW study shows that only 50% of pts receive tx, even though each LOT is associated with additional OS benefit. This suggests an unmet need for more efficacious therapies to allow additional treatment and improve outcomes. [Table: see text]

e18556Background: Pharmacologic and medical management of myelofibrosis (MF) in the real world is not well characterized. This retrospective study examined current MF treatment patterns in the Unit...