Economic evaluation of cancer therapies: More and better studies will lead to better choices in cancer care

Randomised phase III trials are the ideal setting for prospective collection of economic and health related quality of life (HRQL) data. Many studies combine prospective clinical data with economic assumptions or data collected in separate costing studies. To extrapolate the trial outcomes to lifelong consequences, modelling approaches are often used. Also, in situations where no randomised trial data are available, modelling approaches are often applied. In this paper some methodological and practical issues are described. The aim of the economic evaluations is to support decision-making. As many new promising anti cancer drugs are forthcoming, the questions of how decision-makers will use the results of the economic evaluations and how patients can optimally benefit from these new drugs arise.