Treatment of Cancer and Palliative Care (4) Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Molecularly Targeted Drugs

Abstract

Various molecularly targeted drugs are now in clinical use in Japan. These agents are generally more effective than previous drugs but are more expensive. Several recent studies have examined the cost-effectiveness of using molecularly targeted drugs in cancer treatment. Herein, we discuss reports about the use of trastuzumab for early-stage breast cancer, lapatinib for advanced breast cancer, and bevacizumab for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.