Although there are value assessment models for current cancer treatments, immunotherapies principally rely on a very different approach compared to chemotherapy or radiotherapy and applying these models to immunotherapy is likely to miscalculate its cost-effectiveness and safety.
One way to modify existing models of performance assessment would be to incorporate patient-reported data from clinical trials. Several research institutes and pharmaceutical companies in the US are currently developing standard terminology for patient-reported outcomes data specifically for use in cost/benefit evaluations of cancer immunotherapy.
Symptom tracking devices and smartphone applications are likely to play a critical role PRO monitoring of symptoms and performance of novel anti-cancer therapies.
Further details about studies in progress and areas that need more investigation can be found at the following link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170208151618.htm
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