In a study led by Yale Cancer Center researchers, the findings published in January 2024 saw an increasing trend of initiating immunotherapy near the end of a patient's life. However, it raises questions about its benefits in advanced-stage cancer. The study emphasizes the transformative impact of immunotherapy in oncology but calls for a more discerning approach.
While immunotherapy has enhanced survival rates for various cancers, the study reveals a rise in initiating these treatments within the final month of a patient's life. The retrospective analysis focused on patients with metastatic melanoma, non-small cell lung, and renal cell carcinoma, with two and three percent receiving immunotherapy within the last 30 days of life. Its cost-effectiveness raises concern since a single dose costs $10,000 to $20,000. The study underscores that starting immunotherapy late proves ineffectual and incurs substantial costs. It highlights better survival outcomes when academic and high-volume cancer hospitals administer immunotherapy, suggesting the importance of specialized care in managing severe adverse events. The findings stress the necessity for further investigation into the implications of end-of-life immunotherapy, aiming to refine treatment guidelines for metastatic cancer patients. Overall, the study prompts a critical re-evaluation of the timing and value of immunotherapy in advanced-stage cases, focusing on the importance of tailored clinical approaches.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorNatasha Tiffany, MD, is a physician, educator, and research scientist currently working in Oregon. A Partner and Physician in a private practice located in the state’s capital city of Salem, Dr. Tiffany teaches at her alma mater, Oregon Health & Science University, where she is an Affiliate Assistant Professor in the Hematology and Medical Oncology Division. Archives
October 2019
Categories
All
|