A real-world analysis highlights the significant economic burden faced by US patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who experience disease progression after third-line (3L) therapy.

Researchers analyzed findings from a retrospective claims study of the MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental databases for the study. They evaluated health care costs and utilization among patients with DLBCL who received 3L therapy between 2017 and 2023. The study included 160 adults, and they were stratified into progression (n = 103) and nonprogression (n = 57) cohorts, based on whether they initiated a new line of chemotherapy or underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after 3L treatment.

The findings showed that mean total health care costs during the follow-up period were $199 693 higher for patients with progression compared with those without ($285 799 vs $86 106; P <.0001). Mean per patient per month (PPPM) costs were nearly $21 261 in the progression group ($32 522 vs $11 261; P = .0001).

Notably, 80% of total costs in the progression cohort occurred within the first 6 months post-progression. At 6 months, mean total costs were $125 299 higher for the progression group ($176 359 vs $51 060; P = .0002), and at 12 months the difference remained substantial at $146 171 ($222 088 vs $75 917; P = .0037).

With relapsed/refractory DLBCL remaining a difficult-to-treat and costly condition, this study provides insight into its high economic impact on patients in real-world settings, particular those experiencing disease progression after 3L treatment.

Reference

Liu N, Fanale M, Mitchell B, et al. Economic burden of patients with DLBCL who progress on third-line therapy in the United States. Presented at: AMCP 2025; March 31-April 3; Houston, TX; Abstract C22.