Tislelizumab and Chemo: A Cost-Effective Pair for Advanced Stomach Cancer in China

You're a healthcare provider in China, trying to figure out the best treatment for advanced stomach cancer. A recent study, RATIONALE-305, found that combining a drug called tislelizumab with chemo works better than chemo alone. Now, researchers wanted to know if this combo is worth the extra cost. They looked at it from China's healthcare system perspective. The study found that while tislelizumab and chemo costs more upfront, it might save money in the long run by improving patients' quality of life and reducing future healthcare needs. It's a bit like investing in a good bike for your kid; it's pricier at first, but it lasts longer and saves you from buying a new one every year. The study also considered the value of extra time patients might gain from this treatment. So, is it worth it? That's something healthcare providers and policymakers in China need to think about.