Cost-utility analysis of high-dose melphalan with autologous blood stem cell support vs. melphalan plus prednisone in patients younger than 60 years with multiple myeloma

We evaluated the costs and the cost utility of high-dose melphalan and auto logous stem cell support followed by interferon maintenance relative to con ventional treatment with melphalan and prednisone, in patients less than 60 yr of age with multiple myeloma. From March 1994 to July 1997, 274 patient s with newly diagnosed, symptomatic multiple myeloma were enrolled in a pro spective, nonrandomized, population-based, multicenter study to evaluate th e treatment with high-dose melphalan and autologous blood stem cell support . Health-related quality-of-life was measured prior to treatment and during follow-up, using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Resource consumption was also recorded prospectively. The intensive treatment yielded a significant increase in median survival time from 44 to 62 months compared to conventi onally treated patients. The corresponding gain in quality-adjusted life ye ars (QALY) was found to be 1.2. Cost per QALY gained by the treatment with high-dose melphalan and autologous blood stem cell support was estimated at NOK 249,000 (USD 27,000).