Cost-effectiveness analysis of dupilumab among patients with uncontrolled severe asthma using LIBERTY ASTHMA QUEST Korean data

Background A sub‑analysis of the Korean population in the LIBERTY ASTHMA QUEST trial (NCT02414854) revealed that dupilumab effectively treated severe uncontrolled asthma. This study aimed to assess the cost‑effectiveness of add‑on therapy with dupilumab to background therapy in patients ≥ 12 years of age with uncontrolled severe asthma compared to that of background therapy in South Korea. Methods The cost‑effectiveness analysis was conducted using a Markov model over a lifetime from the Korean healthcare system perspective. Clinical efficacy and utility weights were obtained from post‑hoc analyses of the Korean population in the QUEST trial. Data on the costs and treatment setting of exacerbation in a real‑world setting were retrospectively collected using the administrative medical database from a single tertiary hospital. Results The base‑case results indicated that add‑on dupilumab therapy increases costs ($112,924 for add‑on dupilumab versus $29,545 for background therapy alone). However, add‑on dupilumab increased quality‑adjusted life years (QALYs, 8.03 versus 3.93, respectively), with fewer events of severe exacerbations per patient compared to using the background therapy alone (17.920 versus 19.911, respectively). The incremental cost‑effectiveness ratio was $20,325 per QALY. Various sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of the base‑case results. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the probability of add‑on dupilumab being cost‑effective was 87% at a threshold willingness‑to‑pay of $26,718 (KRW 35 million) per QALY gained. Conclusions Dupilumab is cost‑effective for adolescents and adults with uncontrolled severe asthma in South Korea. Our study provides evidence to support clinicians and policymakers in making informed decisions for severe asthma management.