Economic analysis of a multicentre, randomised, phase III trial comparing FOLFOXIRI with FOLFIRI in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in Greece

ABSTRACTIntroduction: An economic evaluation of the irinotecan, leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil (FOLFIRI) combination versus the irinotecan, oxaliplatin, leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOXIRI) regimen in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer was performed in the context of a randomised phase III study.Methods: The trial did not find any differences in efficacy and, therefore, a cost-minimisation analysis was undertaken. Treatment cost accounts for the administration of first and second line chemotherapy, for concomitant medications, for laboratory and other examinations and hospitalisations due to treatment side effects. Unit prices used reflect 2006 and are common among NHS hospitals in Greece.Results: The mean total cost of therapy in the FOLFOXIRI group (€18 344, 95% CI: €16 951–€19 776), was significantly higher than the FOLFIRI group (€12 201, 95% CI: €11 011–€13 427). Mean chemotherapy cost of the FOLFOXIRI group (€9016; 95% CI: €8338–€9669) was significantly higher than that of the FOLFIRI group (€...