Opinion
Video
Timely Detection: Incidence and Prevalence of Ph+ ALL
Vivian Tambe Ebot-Tar, PharmD, MBA, guides a discussion on the incidence of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) and how payers can have the most impact through early treatment coverage.
The following is a video synopsis/summary of a Peer Exchange involving Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA, CPEL; Jonathon Abbas, MD; Vivian Tambe Tar, PharmD, MBA; Elias Jabbour, MD; and James McCloskey, MD.
The discussants characterize Philadelphia chromosome–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) as a rare leukemia, with an incidence of approximately 6000 cases per year in the United States. Ebot-Tar notes that in a health plan with over 1 million members, the incidence would be approximately 4 to 5 cases per million members. The incidence increases with age. McCloskey emphasizes the importance of timely detection and treatment for optimal outcomes. Targeted therapies are crucial.
Haumschild asks about ensuring timely access to appropriate therapies through payer policies. Ebot-Tar discusses the need to balance cost considerations with ensuring access, using management strategies judiciously to avoid barriers to needed care. Jabbour advocates for optimal upfront therapy to provide the best chance for response and long-term value. The group agrees that durable initial response is ideal to improve overall survival, which drops with later lines of therapy, and that payers should understand the clinical and economic rationale for this approach.
Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by AJMC editorial staff.
