Carlos Bachier, MD, Sarah Cannon Center for Blood Cancer, Nashville, TN, discusses an investigation into the costs and adverse events associated with ibrutinib and ruxolitinib treatment for chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD). Ibrutinib and ruxolitnib both represent treatment options for GVHD, a common complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, but are themselves associated with adverse events that may limit adherence. This retrospective study analyzed United States administrative claims data on ibrutinib and ruxolitinib use. The result showed that adverse event occurrence was associated with treatment discontinuation. Additionally, propensity score matching cohorts were analyzed and found that treatment costs and healthcare visits were higher in ibrutinib and ruxolitinib patients compared to control GVHD patients. This interview took place during the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, 2020.
