THE ECONOMIC-IMPACT AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY THERAPY FOR SEPSIS

Monoclonal antibodies directed against the endotoxins produced by gram -negative organisms have been developed for the treatment of patients with sepsis. Phase 3 dinical trials in which two of these agents, E5 a nd HA-1A, have been evaluated have suggested possible benefit in terms of improved survival and reversal of organ dysfunction for certain su bgroups. Since monoclonal antibodies are expected to be expensive, cos t-effectiveness analysis is necessary to assess the joint clinical and economic impact. Cost-effectiveness studies based on the clinical dat a from these phase 3 trials have suggested that monoclonal antibodies may represent a cost-effective approach to the treatment of sepsis. Ho wever, an increase in the number of questions concerning the clinical efficacy of these agents and their ultimate impact on survival mandate s the need for further clinical and economic investigation.