Evaluating the Use of microRNA Blood Tests for Gastric Cancer Screening in a Stratified Population-Level Screening Program: An Early Model-Based Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

• Published in: Value in health 2020-09, Vol.23 (9), p.1171-1179
• Main Authors: Kapoor, Ritika, So, Jimmy B.Y., Zhu, Feng, Too, Heng-Phon, Yeoh, Khay-Guan, Yoong, Joanne Su-Yin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: cost-effectiveness of miRNA test; gastric cancer screening; miRNA cancer screening; miRNA test; model-based cost-effectiveness
• ISSN: 1098-3015; 1524-4733
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2020.04.1829

To evaluate cost-effectiveness of a novel screening strategy using a microRNA (miRNA) blood test as a screen, followed by endoscopy for diagnosis confirmation in a 3-yearly population screening program for gastric cancer. A Markov cohort model has been developed in Microsoft Excel 2016 for the population identified to be at intermediate risk (Singaporean men, aged 50-75 years with Chinese ethnicity). The interventions compared were (1) initial screening using miRNA test followed by endoscopy for test-positive individuals and a 3-yearly follow-up screening for test-negative individuals (proposed strategy), and (2) no screening with gastric cancer being diagnosed clinically (current practice). The model was evaluated for 25 years with a healthcare perspective and accounted for test characteristics, compliance, disease progression, cancer recurrence, costs, utilities, and mortality. The outcomes measured included incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, cancer stage at diagnosis, and thresholds for significant variables. The miRNA-based screening was found to be cost-effective with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $40 971/quality-adjusted life-year. Key drivers included test costs, test accuracy, cancer incidence, and recurrence risk. Threshold analysis highlights the need for high accuracy of miRNA tests (threshold sensitivity: 68%; threshold specificity: 77%). A perfect compliance to screening would double the cancer diagnosis in early stages compared to the current practice. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis reported the miRNA-based screening to be cost-effective in >95% of iterations for a willingness to pay of $70 000/quality-adjusted life-year (approximately equivalent to 1 gross domestic product/capita) The miRNA-based screening intervention was found to be cost-effective and is expected to contribute immensely in early diagnosis of cancer by improving screening compliance. •Biomarker testing can offer effective cancer screening, enabling early diagnosis, but poses a risk of high testing costs and missed cases. Recently GastroClear, an in vitro test for gastric cancer–related microRNA, has been approved by the Singapore government. Nevertheless, there is a need to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of its implementation for population screening. This study addresses this evidence gap by:•Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of screening population every 3-years for the population at intermediate risk•Identifying the impact of screening on early diag