Incorporating Biomarkers into the Primary Prostate Biopsy Setting: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis using the PHI (Prostate Health Index), 4Kscore®, SelectMDx™ and the EPI (ExoDx™ Prostate [IntelliScore]) in men with elevated prostate specific antigen to determine the need for biopsy.

Biomarkers
Cost-effectiveness
Decision modeling
Authors

Sathianathen NJ

Kuntz KM

Alarid-Escudero F

Lawrentschuk NL

Bolton DM

Murphy DG

Weight CJ

Konety BR

Published

December 1, 2018

Recommended citation

Sathianathen NJ, Kuntz KM, Alarid-Escudero F, Lawrentschuk NL, Bolton DM, Murphy DG, Weight CJ, Konety BR. Incorporating biomarkers into the primary prostate biopsy setting: a cost-effectiveness analysis. The Journal of Urology, 2018;200(6):1215-1220.

Copied!

@article{sathianathen2018incorporating,
  title={Incorporating biomarkers into the primary prostate biopsy setting: a cost-effectiveness analysis},
  author={Sathianathen, Niranjan J and Kuntz, Karen M and Alarid-Escudero, Fernando and Lawrentschuk, Nathan L and Bolton, Damien M and Murphy, Declan G and Weight, Christopher J and Konety, Badrinath R},
  journal={The Journal of urology},
  volume={200},
  number={6},
  pages={1215--1220},
  year={2018},
  publisher={Elsevier}
}

Copied!

%0 Journal Article
%T Incorporating biomarkers into the primary prostate biopsy setting: a cost-effectiveness analysis
%A Sathianathen, Niranjan J
%A Kuntz, Karen M
%A Alarid-Escudero, Fernando
%A Lawrentschuk, Nathan L
%A Bolton, Damien M
%A Murphy, Declan G
%A Weight, Christopher J
%A Konety, Badrinath R
%J The Journal of urology
%V 200
%N 6
%P 1215-1220
%@ 0022-5347
%D 2018
%I Elsevier

Copied!

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Incorporating biomarkers into the primary prostate biopsy setting: a cost-effectiveness analysis
A1  - Sathianathen, Niranjan J
A1  - Kuntz, Karen M
A1  - Alarid-Escudero, Fernando
A1  - Lawrentschuk, Nathan L
A1  - Bolton, Damien M
A1  - Murphy, Declan G
A1  - Weight, Christopher J
A1  - Konety, Badrinath R
JO  - The Journal of urology
VL  - 200
IS  - 6
SP  - 1215
EP  - 1220
SN  - 0022-5347
Y1  - 2018
PB  - Elsevier
ER  - 

Copied!

   

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Abstract

 

Background

We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis using the PHI (Prostate Health Index), 4Kscore®, SelectMDx™ and the EPI (ExoDx™ Prostate [IntelliScore]) in men with elevated prostate specific antigen to determine the need for biopsy.

 

Methods

We developed a decision analytical model in men with elevated prostate specific antigen (3 ng/ml or greater) in which 1 biomarker test was used to determine which hypothetical individuals required biopsy. In the current standard of care strategy all individuals underwent biopsy. Model parameters were derived from a comprehensive review of the literature. Costs were calculated from a health sector perspective and converted into 2017 United States dollars.

 

Results

The cost and QALYs (quality adjusted life-years) of the current standard of care, which was transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy, was $3,863 and 18.085, respectively. Applying any of the 3 biomarkers improved quality adjusted survival compared to the current standard of care. The cost of SelectMDx, the PHI and the EPI was lower than performing prostate biopsy in all patients. However, the PHI was more costly and less effective than the SelectMDx strategy. The EPI provided the highest QALY with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $58,404 per QALY. The use of biomarkers could reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies by 24% to 34% compared to the current standard of care.

 

Conclusions

Applying biomarkers in men with elevated prostate specific antigen to determine the need for biopsy improved quality adjusted survival by decreasing the number of biopsies performed and the treatment of indolent disease. Using SelectMDx or the EPI following elevated prostate specific antigen but before proceeding to biopsy is a cost-effective strategy in this setting.