Cost of Dinutuximab in the United States
The provided evidence does not contain specific pricing information for dinutuximab (Unituxin). The drug label and research studies included in the evidence focus on clinical efficacy, safety profiles, and cost-effectiveness analyses rather than actual acquisition costs.
What We Know About Dinutuximab Costs
The available evidence indicates that dinutuximab is an extremely expensive medication, though exact pricing is not specified in these sources.
Cost-Effectiveness Data
From the research evidence, we can infer the magnitude of costs:
A Chinese cost-effectiveness analysis found that adding dinutuximab β increased costs by $171,269.70 compared to traditional therapy over a 10-year horizon, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $236,462.75 per quality-adjusted life-year 1
The study concluded dinutuximab β was not cost-effective at standard willingness-to-pay thresholds unless the price was significantly reduced 1
In the UK evaluation, the initial incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was £22,338 per QALY, but after corrections ranged from £62,886 to £87,164 per QALY (over $40,000 per QALY even with a confidential Patient Access Scheme discount) 2
Clinical Context
Dinutuximab is a GD2-directed monoclonal antibody used for high-risk neuroblastoma, administered as continuous infusion over 10 days per 35-day cycle, typically for 5 cycles 3. The medication requires specialized administration and monitoring due to significant neurotoxicity risks affecting 36.4% of treatment cycles 4.
Important Caveats
- Actual wholesale acquisition costs (WAC) or average wholesale prices (AWP) for dinutuximab are not included in the provided evidence
- Patient out-of-pocket costs vary significantly based on insurance coverage, which may originate from medical or pharmacy benefits with different cost-sharing arrangements
- The evidence notes that even with the same insurance plan, prices may vary between different pharmacies
For current pricing information, you would need to consult pharmaceutical pricing databases, contact the manufacturer directly, or check Medicare Part B average sales price (ASP) listings, as dinutuximab is typically administered intravenously and would fall under Part B coverage rather than Part D prescription drug coverage.