How efficacy, toxicity, comorbidities and other issues affect frontline treatment choices

Efficacy is obviously important, Poh says, but so is finding the right balance of toxicity, convenience and value for patients. Cost is part of the broader conversation, she notes, and it is not simply a matter of drug acquisition costs but also those associated with administration, supportive medications, monitoring, hospitalizations potentially, and managing treatment-related complications. The best frontline regimen isn't necessarily the most intensive or the least expensive one, Poh says, but, rather, one that provides appropriate disease control for the patient while minimizing toxicity, treatment burden and overall cost for that patient.