A cost per responder analysis of secukinumab vs adalimumab for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis from the Korean perspective

Abstract

Aim To compare the cost-effectiveness of secukinumab vs adalimumab at 1 and 2 years of treatment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by analyzing the cost per responder reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the Korean perspective. Method A systematic literature search was performed via PubMed for relevant RCTs for comparing the response rate in patients with AS. The response rates in anti-tumor necrosis factor-naive subjects were extracted from RCTs and cost per responder analyses were calculated in case of both with or without a loading dosage of secukinumab compared with adalimumab. Results The Assessment in AS International Working Group (ASAS) 20 and 40 response rates of secukinumab from the MEASURE 2 trial and those of adalimumab from the ATLAS trial were comparable. The cost per ASAS 20 responder was lower by 40% in secukinumab compared to adalimumab: USD9637 vs 16 129 at 52 weeks and USD20 051 vs 32 699 at 104 weeks for secukinumab (in maintenance dosing) vs adalimumab, respectively. The cost per ASAS 40 responder was also lower by 40% in secukinumab: USD12 179 vs 22 395 at 52 weeks and USD27 338 vs 41 655 at 104 weeks for secukinumab vs adalimumab, respectively. With a loading dosage of secukinumab at 52 and 104 weeks, secukinumab showed lower costs per responder by 25% compared to adalimumab. Conclusion The costs per responder associated with ASAS 20 and 40 response rates were consistently lower for secukinumab compared with adalimumab. The treatment with secukinumab for patients with AS could be a cost-saving treatment option in South Korea.