Open AccessA cost-minimization analysis of a preventive testing strategy for relatives of patients with BRCA mutated ovarian cancer
Author(s) -
Eugenio Di Brino,
Matteo Ruggeri,
Stefania Boccia,
Nicoletta Cerana,
Domenica Lorusso,
Darío Sacchini,
Antonella Savarese,
Liliana Varesco,
Americo Cicchetti
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
global and regional health technology assessment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2283-5733
pISSN - 2284-2403
DOI - 10.33393/grhta.2020.557
Subject(s) - medicine , ovarian cancer , brca mutation , genetic testing , cancer , oncology , test (biology) , breast cancer , gynecology , paleontology , biology
Purpose: This study aims to estimate the cost-minimization strategy of a preventive testing strategy destined to relatives of patients with BRCA mutated cancer versus a no test strategy in Italia.
Methods: A BRCA testing pathway was designed by a panel of experts based on the MSTM Excel (2010) tool; the analysis was carried out considering the perspective of the Italian National Health Service. Two alternatives were considered: 1) preventive BRCA testing for relatives of patients affected by ovarian cancer carrying a BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation; 2) no test. Cost and effectiveness data, derived from literature and published sources validated by a Board of experts, were discounted using a discount factor equal to 3%. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed.
Results: Considering an average cost of therapy for breast and ovarian cancer major of €90,000.00 per case, the economic impact related to the preventive testing strategy are equal to –€17,814,767.25. The sensitivity analysis confirms these results in the totality of the simulations performed.
Conclusions: Preventive genetic testing in relatives of patients affected by ovarian cancer is cost-effective and represents a sustainable cost for the National Healthcare System in Italia, also in the light of its reference values.