Abstract 3352: Cost-effectiveness of current and potential serum based colorectal screening strategies: Can a serum based test do better
Authors: Jalali Ali , Nelson Richard , Nirula Raminder 
Published: August 2019

Background: Despite efficacy of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, recent trends in screening rates have not improved. Furthermore, national society recommendations have not prioritized a single screening modality. Both flexible sigmoidoscopy (Flex-Sig) and guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT)) have been recommended. Studies suggest that noninvasive tests may improve screening rates, however, compliance remains modest for such tests. A recent study found that health system transition from gFOBT to a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) moderately improved test compliance rates. However, FIT is an expensive substitute for gFOBT and sensitivity of fecal based tests for precursor lesions in the colon remain inferior to structural examinations. Serum-based blood tests (SBT) may provide higher compliance rates, but necessary accuracy for such a test to be a dominant or cost-effective screening strategy over current recommendations have not been determined. This study analyzed the cost-effectiveness of multiple CRC screening strategies and estimated minimum test characteristics of a hypothetical SBT to be a preferred screening strategy over current modalities.

Methods: A Markov microsimulation model was developed to analyze the costs and effects, (quality-adjusted life-years, QALYs) of CRC screening following a hypothetical cohort of 10,000 individuals at age 50 until death. Our model considered three strategies: 1) initial colonoscopy followed by Flex-Sig every 5 years, 2) initial colonoscopy with yearly gFOBT, and 3) initial colonoscopy with yearly FIT. An initial colonoscopy with a hypothetical yearly SBT was also examined at a range of test sensitivities. A long-term payer perspective was assumed for professional and facility costs and lifetime costs of cancer treatment. Model probabilities and utility values were obtained from the literature or calculated from National Vital Statistics Reports.

Results: Annual gFOBT was the least costly strategy ($3,242) while annual FIT was eliminated through extended dominance. Flex-Sig was the costliest strategy at $4,667 but had the highest expected QALYs at 19.68. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of Flex-Sig relative to gFOBT was $35,615. Our secondary analysis demonstrated that a minimum joint sensitivity of 70% and 60% is required for an SBT at 80% and 100% compliance rates, respectively, to achieve extended dominance of both Flex-Sig and FIT by SBT and gFOBT. ICER’s of SBT ranged from $12,984 to $4,779 in these sensitivity ranges compared to gFOBT with expected QALYs as high as 19.96. Total individual costs in the model varied from $365 to $111,535.

Conclusion: With improved sensitivity and high compliance rates, annual screening for CRC via a non-invasive SBT is a cost-effective approach compared to structural examinations and currently recommended gFOBT and FIT.

Citation Format: Ali Jalali, Richard Nelson, Raminder Nirula. Cost-effectiveness of current and potential serum based colorectal screening strategies: Can a serum based test do better [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3352.