All of the six patients in the routinely imaged group and all of the five patients in the clinically followed group experiencing a relapse achieved another complete remission with second-line therapy.
The mean number of scans received was 1.14 in the clinical surveillance group – usually the scan performed after first-line treatment to confirm remission, according to Dr. Pingali – and 4.25 in the routine surveillance imaging group. The ratio of scans to detected relapses was 18 vs. 124.
The extra charges incurred from scans using the routine surveillance imaging approach were $18,896/patient and $593,698/relapse.
"It is important to note that this does not include additional costs from the work-up of the false-positive scans and also the wages lost," he noted.
Dr. Pingali disclosed no relevant conflicts of interest. Dr. Gordon disclosed that he receives honoraria from Genentech and research funding from Millennium and Pharmacyclics. Dr. Salles disclosed serving as an advisor or consultant for Calistoga Pharmaceuticals, Celgene; Genentech, Janssen Pharmaceutica, and Roche. He has served as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau and has received grants for clinical research from Celgene and Roche.