Cost-Effectiveness of Chemotherapy for Advanced and Recurrent Cervical Cancer

Strategic Insights -

A new study conducted by researchers at Fujinomiya City General Hospital in Japan has provided valuable insights into the cost-effectiveness of various chemotherapy treatments for advanced and recurrent cervical cancer. The study, published in Frontiers in Health Services, reveals that traditional first-line platinum-based doublet chemotherapy is consistently found to be cost-effective, while newer agents such as pembrolizumab and cadonilimab often exceed willingness-to-pay thresholds. The research emphasizes the need for policymakers and clinicians to consider the economic impact of adopting such therapies and prioritize value-based strategies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Traditional first-line platinum-based doublet chemotherapy (e.g., cisplatin plus paclitaxel) is consistently found to be cost-effective, with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) well below common willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds.
  • The addition of bevacizumab improves survival but increases costs, yielding borderline or unfavorable ICERs ($155,000/QALY in the U.S.).
  • Immunotherapy agents such as pembrolizumab and cadonilimab offer clinical benefits but often exceed WTP thresholds, particularly in low- and middle-income settings ($111,000/QALY for cemiplimab as a second-line treatment).
  • Cost-effectiveness varies across regions depending on pricing, healthcare systems, and local WTP thresholds.
  • Policymakers and clinicians should consider the economic impact of adopting newer therapies and prioritize value-based strategies, including price negotiations, biosimilar use, and biomarker-guided patient selection.
  • Future research should promote evidence-based pricing and access models to support sustainable cancer care worldwide.

Statistics:

  • $155,000/QALY: ICER for the addition of bevacizumab in the U.S.
  • $111,000/QALY: ICER for cemiplimab as a second-line treatment
  • 10 studies: included in the systematic review
  • 3: immunotherapy agents (pembrolizumab, cadonilimab, and cemiplimab) evaluated for cost-effectiveness

Sources:

  • Cost-effectiveness of chemotherapy for advanced and recurrent cervical cancer: a systematic review. Frontiers in Health Services, 2025;5:1616223
  • NewsRx. Researchers at Fujinomiya City General Hospital Detail Findings in Cervical Cancer (Cost-effectiveness of chemotherapy for advanced and recurrent cervical cancer: a systematic review). Immunotherapy Weekly. August 27, 2025; p 910