Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41931503›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Cost-utility analysis of lenvatinib and sorafenib for the first-line treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in Vietnam: Evidence from a lower-middle income country.

Thang Xuan Do, Ha Thi Nguyen, Phuong Thi Lan Nguyen, Mai Thi Tuyet Kieu, Tuan Viet Duong, Van Nu Hanh Pham

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Thang Xuan DoDepartment of Pharmaceutical Management and Pharmacoeconomics, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6248-2568
Ha Thi NguyenUniversity of Health Sciences, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0792-0913
Phuong Thi Lan NguyenUniversity of Health Sciences, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2830-5677
Mai Thi Tuyet KieuDepartment of Pharmaceutical Management and Pharmacoeconomics, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Tuan Viet DuongDepartment of Pharmaceutical Management and Pharmacoeconomics, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Van Nu Hanh PhamDepartment of Pharmaceutical Management and Pharmacoeconomics, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo evaluate cost-effectiveness of lenvatinib compared with sorafenib as first-line treatment in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in Vietnam from a perspective of the public third-party payer.

methodsA three-health state partitioned survival model was developed to compare costs and health outcomes of lenvatinib and sorafenib in unresectable advanced HCC patients over a 10-year time horizon, using a cycle length of 28-day. Clinical data on efficacy and safety of lenvatinib and sorafenib from the REFLECT trial was used to extrapolate outcomes beyond the follow-up period, while medication costs and health care resources were estimated based on local data and clinical experts' consultations. A discount rate of 3% was applied to both costs and outcomes. Parameter uncertainty was explored using one-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. The impact of different time horizons and different approaches to extrapolate survival time were examined in scenario analyses.

resultsIn unresectable HCC patients, lenvatinib gained more 0.28 life-years (LYs) equaling to 0.21 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) compared with sorafenib. Without consideration of reimbursement rate for all medications and co-insurance, usage of lenvatinib led to an increase of 3,451.3 USD. Therefore, lenvatinib was not cost-effective compared with sorafenib, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 16,114.5 USD/QALY. However, if lenvatinib was reimbursed at the same rate as sorafenib (50%), it became cost-effective, with an ICER of 8,307.6 USD/QALY. Results from the base-case analysis were robust in different sensitivity analyses.

conclusionsWith a significant improvement in progression-free survival, lenvatinib gained more LYs and QALYs compared with sorafenib. At the same reimbursement rate of sorafenib of 50%, lenvatinib was cost-effective from the perspective of the third-party payer.

Indexed as

Antineoplastic AgentsCarcinoma, HepatocellularLiver NeoplasmsPhenylurea CompoundsQuinolinesSorafenibCost-Benefit AnalysisCost-Effectiveness AnalysisFemaleHumansMaleQuality-Adjusted Life YearsVietnamAntineoplastic AgentslenvatinibPhenylurea CompoundsQuinolinesSorafenib

Identifiers

PMID41931503
PMCPMC13048410

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.