Real-world treatment patterns, healthcare resource use, and costs among patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a retrospective analysis of US claims data

Treatment patterns and all-cause and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)-related healthcare resource use (monthly incidence) and costs (per patient per month [PPPM]) were estimated among patients with incident DLBCL in US Optum's de-identified Clinformatics^® Data Mart Database (October 2015-December 2020). Among 3664 patients, 2279 (62%) had ≥1 line (1 L), 409 (18%) had 2 L, and 99 (4%) had 3 L treatment. Rituximab, cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin hydrochloride, vincristine, and prednisone were most common in 1 L (75%) and 2 L (23%), although multiple regimens were used in 2 L and 3 L. With increasing lines of therapy, treatment duration decreased while hospitalization rates increased. Mean DLBCL-related hospitalization costs PPPM increased with each line (1 L: $6028; 2 L: $10,708; 3 L+: $20,483), accounting for increasing proportions of total all-cause costs (1 L: 30%; 2 L: 38%; 3 L+: 56%). Thus, DLBCL poses a substantial economic burden with fewer therapeutic alternatives, especially during later lines, highlighting the need for more effective treatment options.