Peginterferon Beta-1a Reduces Relapse-Associated Costs in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (P4.146)

OBJECTIVE: To estimate potential relapse-associated cost savings with investigational subcutaneous peginterferon beta-1a (PEG-IFN) treatment administered every 2 (Q2W) or 4 (Q4W) weeks versus placebo over one year among patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). BACKGROUND: The economic burden of MS is significant, recent annual direct healthcare costs (2011 US$) are estimated for an MS patient with no relapse to be $17,545, $28,348 for low/moderate relapse and $41,969 for severe relapse. Disease-modifying treatments have the capacity to prevent or reduce relapses, delay disability progression, and the associated costs. DESIGN/METHODS: An economic model from a US payer perspective was developed to estimate the direct medical costs of Q2W and Q4W treatment versus placebo based on frequency of hospitalizations, intravenous corticosteroid use, and relapses. Respective event rates for placebo (0.168, 0.359, and 0.397), and respective hazard ratios for Q2W (0.559, 0.658, and 0.644) and Q4W (0.834, 0.744, and 0.725) groups were obtained from the randomized Phase 3 ADVANCE trial Year 1 results. Event costs were obtained from the literature; costs of intravenous corticosteroids were estimated based on five days intravenous methylprednisolone treatment and a physician office visit. Probabilistic estimates were obtained by sampling model parameters using standard errors and appropriate distributions over 1,000 simulations. RESULTS: Over one year, relative to placebo, Q4W would be expected to reduce costs of hospitalizations, intravenous corticosteroids, and relapses by $488, $46, and $1,500, respectively, per patient; Q2W would be expected to reduce these respective costs by $1,297, $62, and $1,941. In the probabilistic analysis, versus placebo, both dose frequencies had >99% probability of reducing relapse costs; Q2W had >70% probability of reducing costs versus Q4W. CONCLUSIONS: PEG-IFN Q2W has a higher likelihood of reducing relapse-associated costs versus placebo and PEG-IFN Q4W. These potential cost reductions complement the numerically greater efficacy observed for Q2W versus Q4W in the ADVANCE Year 1 results. Study Sponsored by: Biogen Idec Inc. Disclosure: Dr. O’Day has received personal compensation for activities with Xcenda as an employee. Dr. Meyer has received personal compensation for activities with Xcenda as an employee. Dr. Meyer has received research support from Xcenda. Dr. Mitchell has received personal compensation for activities with Novartis, Biogen Idec, AbbVie, Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., Takeda, and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Dr. Agarwal has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec as an employee. Dr. Agarwal holds stock and/or stock options in Biogen Idec. Dr. Kinter has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec as an employee. Dr. Kinter holds stock and/or stock options in a company whose medical equipment or other materials are related to the practice of medicine.