Cost-effectiveness analysis of camrelizumab combination with radiotherapy for management of advanced/metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose: To determine the cost-effectiveness and efficacy of camrelizumab when combined with radiotherapy in the management of advanced/metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out on clinical information of 115 patients with advanced/metastatic ESCC admitted to Huai'an Cancer Hospital between February 2017 and January 2021. Based on therapeutic modality, patients were distributed into control group (CG, 55 cases, cisplatin + paclitaxel chemotherapy) and study group (SG, 60 cases, camrelizumab + radiotherapy regimen). Clinical efficacy, adverse effects, cost indicators (total cost of treatment, out-of-pocket costs, medical insurance cost), serum tumor marker levels (CEA, CYFRA21-1, SCC-Ag), immune function (IgA, IgG, IgM), and quality of life were compared between the two groups.Results: The objective remission rate (ORR) in SG (80 %) was significantly higher than in CG (61.8 %) (p < 0.05). Serum levels of CEA, CYFRA21-1, SCC-Ag in both groups and symptom scores decreased, while serum IgA, IgG, IgM, function, and overall quality of life score increased, but the improvement was greater in SG after 6 weeks of treatment (p < 0.05). Study group had significantly higher out-of-pocket expenses, health insurance costs, total costs, and cost/effectiveness than CG (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Camrelizumab combined with radiotherapy in the treatment of advanced/metastatic ESCC is efficacious, improves immune function, reduces serum tumor marker levels, and prolongs the survival time of patients. Clinical studies using larger population should be carried out to validate the findings of this study.