Economic Utility of CEA-Scan^® (arcitumomab) Immunoscintigraphy in the Evaluation of Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

A retrospective financial analysis based on published clinical studies

Alasbimn Journal – January 2003; Nº 19

Bridwell R, Thropay J.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this analysis was to evaluate whether or not the added cost of immunoscintigraphy with CEA-Scan^® (arcitumomab) to routine anatomic imaging, can reduce the overall cost of patient management in patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: Two hundred ten (210) colorectal cancer patients underwent preoperative CT and immunoscintigraphy. The ability of CT alone and combined with immunoscintigraphy to preoperatively assess the resectability status of each patient was evaluated. Costs included were: total cost of administering and interpreting both imaging studies, total surgical costs, and the costs of false positives and false negatives (with respect to determination of resectability). An outcomes table was constructed to incorporate economic possibilities for each patient sub-group. RESULTS: Immunoscintigraphy with arcitumomab reduced the overall cost of patient management by approximately $5,000 per patient, primarily due to those patients whom CT incorrectly indicated as resectable. CONCLUSION: This analysis indicates that the addition of immunoscintigraphy to the preoperative workup of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer decreases the overall cost significantly.