Treatment Journey of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Real-World Data in British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

Aim:

This study examined treatment patterns, survival outcomes and healthcare costs related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in British Columbia.

Methods:

The study utilized data from two physician databases (HCC and MOTION) and the provincial British Columbia transplant database.

Results:

The analysis revealed diverse treatment approaches and identified the varying treatment journeys of patients. Liver transplant and systemic therapies demonstrated improved survival rates. However, there was a scarcity of Canadian-specific cost data.

Conclusion:

The research emphasizes the complexities of managing HCC and underscores the need for personalized treatment strategies to enhance patient outcomes. These findings contribute valuable insights into HCC management and provide a foundation for future studies and interventions aimed at optimizing care and resource allocation.

Tweetable abstract

This study examined HCC treatment patterns, survival, and healthcare costs in British Columbia. Data revealed diverse treatment modalities and etiologies. Liver transplant and systemic therapies were associated with improved survival. #HCC #TreatmentPatterns #Survival #Costs

Plain language summary

This study looked at how people diagnosed with liver cancer in British Columbia were treated, how long they lived and how much treatment cost. Treatment records were reviewed, and depending on the extent of the disease, treatments could include surgery, treatments directed at the liver and/or anti-cancer therapy. The average survival time varied from 21–33 months, with an average cost per patient of $94,000. This helps us understand the patient journey and future studies would include current treatment options.

Keywords::

• Canada
• cost
• HCC
• hepatocellular carcinoma
• resource utilization
• survival
• treatment patterns

Financial disclosure

This study was funded by an unrestricted research grant by Eisai Canada. SJ Seung and H Saherawala have received research funding by Eisai Canada and AstraZeneca Canada. B Zagorski has been paid for consulting and advisory by BMZ Analytics Inc. H Lim has received honoraria from Eisai, Taiho, Roche, AstraZeneca, Astellas, Amgen, Varian, Merck and BMS for consultant work. V Marquez has stock in SatisfAI Inc, have had a consulting role with Abbvie, Eisai and Ipsen and been an investigator for Roche. S Gill has received honoraria from Eisai, AstraZeneca, Roche and Ipsen. D Liu has received research support from Boston Scientific, speaker fee from Eisai, and served as a consultant for Sirtex Medical and ABK Biomedical. JM Davies has had an advisory role with Apotex, Eisai, Incyte, Astra Zeneca, Taiho, and on a grant with BMS. C Tong and P Kim have no conflicts to disclose.

Competing interests disclosure

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Writing disclosure

No funded writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

Research Ethics Board applications for MOTION (H19-03084) and HCC (H17-01147) were amended to allow their data to be used as a part of this study. Research Ethics Board approval for this study was obtained from both the BC Cancer Agency (H21-00394) and the Sunnybrook Research Institute (3564). As this data involved retrospective data, no informed consent form was required.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by an unrestricted research grant by Eisai Canada. SJ Seung and H Saherawala have received research funding by Eisai Canada and AstraZeneca Canada. B Zagorski has been paid for consulting and advisory by BMZ Analytics Inc. H Lim has received honoraria from Eisai, Taiho, Roche, AstraZeneca, Astellas, Amgen, Varian, Merck and BMS for consultant work. V Marquez has stock in SatisfAI Inc, have had a consulting role with Abbvie, Eisai and Ipsen and been an investigator for Roche. S Gill has received honoraria from Eisai, AstraZeneca, Roche and Ipsen. D Liu has received research support from Boston Scientific, speaker fee from Eisai, and served as a consultant for Sirtex Medical and ABK Biomedical. JM Davies has had an advisory role with Apotex, Eisai, Incyte, Astra Zeneca, Taiho, and on a grant with BMS. C Tong and P Kim have no conflicts to disclose.