Economic benefits of adequate molecular monitoring in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).

7093 Background: Molecular monitoring every 3 months using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of BCR-ABL mRNA transcripts on International Scale is recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the European LeukemiaNet for patients (pts) in chronic phase of CML. A previous study has shown an underutilization of qPCR in the community setting. This study assessed the impact of the frequency of molecular monitoring on hospitalization and medical costs among CML pts receiving 1st-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapies. Methods: Two U.S. administrative claims databases were combined (01/2000-06/2012) to identify adult CML pts initiated on TKIs (imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib). Pts were followed for 12 months from their first TKI prescription and categorized into 3 cohorts based on frequency of qPCR tests (i.e., 0, 1-2, and 3-4). Number of inpatient admissions and medical service costs (measured from a US payer perspective; adjusted to 2012 U.S. dollars) were compared between c...