MedValue: “High Interest from key opinion leaders to implement HyperCollar3D for Re-radiation of H&N Cancer”
The prognosis of head-and-neck patients is poor with an overall 5-year survival of 50%. In order to improve the survival of these patients, several studies have been performed that utilize hyperthermia as a sensitizer for radiotherapy treatment. Recent research has shown that hyperthermia can improve tumor control for head-and-neck cancer. MedValue, a science company assessing added value of medical technology, studied available evidence on thermal therapy to treat Head and Neck cancer.
MedValue concluded a clear need for thermal therapy as addition to the palliative treatments, patients with a recurrent tumor or bulky tumors with large lymphatic nodes, because the current treatment options are limited. The HyperCollar3D from Sensius can provide this type of thermal therapy. Doctors indicated to be willing to apply the new options that the HyperCollar3D creates, without further research.
Stakeholders argued that thermal therapy may even replace chemotherapy
As part of this study, MedValue interviewed 10 key stakeholders involved in the treatment of head-and-neck cancer: otorhinolaryngologists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, medical oncologists and ear-nose-throat-doctors. These stakeholders argued that thermal therapy may even replace chemotherapy if efficacy is equal, mainly due to the systemic complications that occur in chemotherapy treatment.
Sensius reflects on this conclusion as a recognition of the value of the HyperCollar3D. “Yet, it is our ambition to work with the clinical team to jointly create additional evidence to include primary treatment as well”, says Paul van den Biggelaar, CEO of Sensius. “The absence of additional side-effects will give patients and physicians better treatment options towards prolonged life and quality of life”.
Additional research from MedValue, applying the early Health Technology Assessment methodology, further revealed the implementation of thermal therapy in the current treatment program has the potential to improve the health effects (QALY: survival and/or Quality of Life), although these advantages come at the expense of a higher treatment cost. The incremental cost-effective ratio was significantly below the Dutch QALY threshold in various simulations. “The research of MedValue clearly concluded a contribution in treatment outcome and health economics. This strengthens our ambition to make the HyperCollar3D available to clinics worldwide.”, according to Paul van den Biggelaar.