What question did this study set out to answer?

The study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC).

April 10, 2026Open Access

Cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: a head-to-head trial vs. real-world comparison

Key Points

The study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC).
Compared cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy using real-world evidence (RWE) and randomized controlled trial (RCT) data.
Analyzed incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) between RWE and RCT outcomes.
Focused on mNSCLC patient populations.
Found that pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy was unlikely to be cost-effective for mNSCLC.
Identified higher ICER with RWE compared to RCT data.
Suggests trial-based effectiveness may overestimate outcomes in real-world practice.

Abstract

Pembrolizumab plus platinum therapy is unlikely to be cost-effective for mNSCLC. The higher ICER with RWE compared to RCT data suggests that trial-based outcomes may overestimate effectiveness in routine practice. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating RWE into post-approval reassessment for high-cost oncology therapies.

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Discussion

Journals

Journal of Medical Economics

Institutions

The University of Sydney

Royal North Shore Hospital

Northern Sydney Local Health District

References and Citations

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