Transfusion-related cost and time burden offsets associated with pacritinib versus best available therapy in patients with myelofibrosis: an economic evaluation based on the PERSIST-2 trial

OBJECTIVE: In the PERSIST-2 trial (NCT02055781), pacritinib (PAC) demonstrated significant anemia benefit versus best available therapy (BAT). This analysis aimed to estimate projected differences in transfusion-related cost and time burden with PAC versus BAT from a US payer perspective. METHODS: An economic evaluation was conducted using red blood cell (RBC) transfusion-related data of patients treated with PAC or BAT from PERSIST-2 trial. Transfusion status (transfusion independent [TI] or non-TI) at baseline (90 days pre-randomization) and during the study (over any 12-week interval through week 24) was defined using Gale criteria. Mean 30-day RBC transfusion rates were annualized and used as proxy for transfusion-related visits. Annual transfusion-related cost/time burden per patient by transfusion status were estimated. RESULTS: Annual transfusion-related cost and time burden with PAC were projected to be 19.5% and 25.3% lower than with BAT ($252,057 vs $312,969; 507.9 vs 680.4 hours), with per patient cost and time savings of $60,912 and 172.4 hours, respectively. Patients who were non-TI at baseline had higher projected annual cost ($73,095/patient) and time savings (204.3 hours/patient) for PAC versus BAT. CONCLUSION: Reduced transfusion rates with PAC versus BAT were projected to decrease transfusion-related medical costs and time burden in patients with cytopenic MF.