by Katja Wie, WifOR

Ratio of cost of treatment to GDP per capita. Credit: The Lancet Oncology Commission

A recent analysis, published in The Lancet Oncology, calculates that increasing access to [¹⁷⁷Lu]PSMA therapy for eligible patients could generate $725 million in economic potential. This impact is projected across nine selected countries between 2023 and 2029.

[¹⁷⁷Lu]PSMA is a theranostic treatment that combines both therapeutics and diagnostics to target prostate-specific membrane antigens (PSMA) found in cancer cells. Compared to standard treatments, patients receiving [¹⁷⁷Lu]PSMA therapy experience fewer side effects and have higher chances of recovery.

These enhanced health outcomes translate into substantial economic benefits. By reducing time lost to illness, individuals can return to work, participate in society, and maintain productivity for longer periods. This sustained workforce activity boosts both economic performance and societal well-being, transforming health improvements into tangible gains for individuals and society alike. Beyond these direct effects, increased productivity creates two types of ripple effects:

• Indirect effects: Companies with healthier employees are able to increase spending on goods and services, thereby enhancing business-to-business activities.

• Induced effects: Higher employee spending supports other sectors, stimulating overall economic growth.

Moreover, the study considered the value of unpaid work such as caregiving and volunteering that healthier individuals can contribute to society. These efforts, often overlooked in national accounting systems, further underscore the wider social impact of improved health outcomes.

"Our analysis shows the economic potential of using advanced cancer treatments like [¹⁷⁷Lu]PSMA to their full extent," says Dr. Malina Müller, Head of Health Economics at WifOR Institute. "Access to advanced cancer treatment delivers returns not only in individual and public health outcomes but also in measurable economic benefits and societal well-being."

The analysis is part of The Lancet Oncology Commission report "Radiotherapy and theranostics: a Lancet Oncology Commission."

The Social Impact approach

The Social Impact approach measures the societal benefits of new medical treatments. The first step compares the health improvements from a new therapy to the current standard treatment, measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).

These health benefits are then converted into economic terms by calculating the value of increased productivity—both for paid and unpaid work. The last step monetizes these benefits to show the overall economic impact of the therapy.

Method

WifOR Institute compared full treatment for all eligible patients with the current rate in nine countries representative of high-, upper-middle-, and lower-middle-income economies: Australia, Germany, India, Jordan, the Netherlands, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, and the United States.

To determine eligibility for [¹⁷⁷Lu]PSMA therapy, WifOR analyzed prostate cancer incidence using data from the 2022 GLOBOCAN database, focusing on advanced-stage cases where the therapy is most applicable. Approximately 90% of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer are considered suitable for this treatment based on criteria from the VISION trial.

More information: May Abdel-Wahab et al, Radiotherapy and theranostics: a Lancet Oncology Commission, The Lancet Oncology (2024). DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(24)00407-8

Journal information: Lancet Oncology 

Provided by WifOR