Overcoming Barriers to Novel Combination Therapy in Multiple Myeloma (MM): Oncocollective Insights into Improving Patient Outcomes in Europe

Background

Access to novel combination therapies for multiple myeloma (MM) remains limited in Europe partly due to health technology assessment (HTA) processes and formal reimbursement mechanisms.^1,2 To address issues of access barriers, Sanofi convened OncoCollective (OC), a multi-disciplinary stakeholder collaborative of global experts, to explore solutions.

Methodology

The OC Novel Combination Therapy Working Group developed an illustrative case study to map two hypothetical patient journeys in a specific European country (Sweden), a journey that faces barriers to receiving novel combination treatment for MM versus one with fewer barriers.³⁻⁵ The group reviewed existing outcomes data to estimate the potential impact on progression-free survival (PFS) to explore if improved access to novel combination therapies could significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life.³⁻⁵

Results

The illustrative patient journeys demonstrated that an optimized therapeutic course with few barriers to combination therapy enabled more advanced care and extended PFS across multiple lines of therapy. In contrast, a journey facing limited access to combination therapy could result in suboptimal treatment sequencing and shorter PFS.

Conclusion

These findings highlight that current healthcare systems may not be equipped to adequately handle the value of combination therapies, and different reimbursement requirements may create inequalities in MM across countries or regions within the same country. Solutions proposed by the OC include a) advocating for mandatory national guidelines, b) encouraging real-world evidence collection and methodologically sound modelling studies, c) appealing for healthcare funding as an investment, and d) working towards a holistic vision of clinical benefit leading to meaningful improvements in outcomes for all patients with MM.

References

1. EFPIA Report on Access to Oncology Combination Therapy in Europe, April 2023.

2. OECD. Analytical Report, 2020.

3. Latimer N, et al. BMC Health Serv Res. 2021;21(1):412.

4. Moreau P, et al. Ann Oncol. 2017;28(suppl 4):iv52−61.

5. Wålinder G, et al. CancerReports.2022;5:e1614.

Shih:Sanofi: Other: served on advisory board of OncoCollective. Morgan:Sanofi: Other: served on advisory board of OncoCollective. Biru:Sanofi: Other: served on the advisory board of OncoCollective. Dietrich:Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ehlers:Abvie: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Boehringer Ingelheim: Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Research Funding; Contura: Research Funding; CLS Seq: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Novo Nordisk: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Radiometer: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Specsavers: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding. Eriksson:Sanofi: Other: served on the advisory board of OncoCollective. -Goñi:Sanofi: Other: served on advisory board of OncoCollective. Greiner:Sanofi: Other: served on the advisory board of OncoCollective. Levin:Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Fernandez:Sanofi: Current Employment. Paranjpe:Sanofi: Current Employment. Hansen:Sanofi: Current Employment. Galnares:Sanofi: Current Employment. Caschetta:Klick Health: Other: employee of Klick Health, hired by Sanofi for OncoCollective. Goeckeler:Klick: Other: employee of Klick health, hired by Sanofi for OncoCollective. Lee:Klick Health: Other: employee of Klick Health, hired by Sanofi for OncoCollective.