Abstract
Aim: Evaluate healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and costs in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who relapsed or are refractory to (R/R) ibrutinib.Methods: All-cause and CLL/SLL-related HRU and healthcare costs were evaluated in adult patients with CLL/SLL who received ibrutinib (2/2014-3/2020) as single-agent or combination therapy and discontinued/switched to another antineoplastic agent (R/R) vs. all other (non-R/R) ibrutinib users.Results: Compared with the non-R/R patients (N = 919), R/R patients (N = 207) had higher all-cause HRU (inpatient, outpatient and emergency room visits; rate ratios [95% CIs]: 1.51 [1.38, 1.65]-1.92 [1.57, 2.37]; all P < 0.001) and healthcare costs ($81,645 vs. $34,717; cost difference [95% CI] = $50,170 [$40,555, $61,383]; P < 0.001).Conclusion: CLL/SLL patients who are R/R to ibrutinib bear a substantial economic burden.