The Role of Real-World Evidence in UK Reimbursement: Case Study of Lenalidomide in Myelodysplastic Syndrome Deletion 5q.

BACKGROUND: Uncertainty within cost-effectiveness analysis, often driven by lack of mature data from large clinical trials, plays a key role in decisions made by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), particularly for early access medicines and orphan drugs.

OBJECTIVES: In this case study, we used real-world evidence to address the uncertainty in the cost-effectiveness case for lenalidomide in transfusion-dependent low- and intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) deletion 5q [del(5q)], affecting a small but unique subpopulation with an orphan disease.

METHODS: As part of a submission to NICE, we developed a cost-effectiveness model for lenalidomide, resulting in eventual recommendation.

RESULTS: Due to data limitations within the trial evidence available, the model was based on surrogate outcomes supported by a disease-wide literature review. The validity of modelled estimates for critical long-term outcomes in terms of time on treatment (32% reaching 26 cycles when the patient access scheme applied in the model vs. 28% in the real-world data) and survival was confirmed using real-world evidence (projected median survival for best supportive care of 4.3 years vs. real-world evidence showing median survival with low- and intermediate-1-risk MDS of 5.7 and 3.5 years, respectively).

CONCLUSION: This case study demonstrates the usefulness and relevance of the application of real-world data when trial data are limited.