How much does Ninlaro cost compared to other chemo drugs?
Ninlaro (ixazomib) is an oral targeted therapy anticancer drug that is used in combination with lenalidomide (Revlimid) and dexamethasone, to help treat multiple myeloma (MM). These can be used in patients who have already tried at least one other different treatment first.
Usually a combination of drugs are used to treat multiple myeloma. The choice and number of drugs used can depend on staging of MM, whether the MM is standard risk or high risk. Treatment options also change according to whether it is initial treatment, maintenance or relapse treatment.
There are different groups of anticancer medicines that work in different ways. The drug combinations usually include one medicine from each of the groups, often up to three medicines can be used but sometimes it can be more.
Proteasome inhibitors
Nilaro belongs to this group of anticancer medicines.
The proteasome inhibitors kill cancer cells by blocking enzymes called proteasomes, these are like the recycling centre of the cell and when this stops working, unwanted or damaged proteins build up which causes the cancer cells to die.
| Proteasome inhibitors | Form | Strength (quantity) | Price (per pack) | Price (per unit) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyprolis (carfilzomib) | powder for injection | 10mg (1) | $433.26 | $433.26 |
| 30mg (1) | $1,280.79 | $1,280.79 | ||
| 60mg (1) | $2,552.08 | $2,552.08 | ||
| Ninlaro (ixazomib) | oral capsules | 2.3mg (3) | $10,678.14 | $3,559.38 |
| 3mg (3) | $10,678.14 | $3,559.38 | ||
| 4mg (3) | $10,678.14 | $3,559.38 | ||
| Velcade (bortezomib) | powder for injection | 3.5mg (1) | $1,683.03 | $1,683.03 |
Immunomodulating agents
The immunomodulating drugs act on a protein called cereblon, so are sometimes called cereblon modulators.
| Immunomodulating agents | Form | Strength (quantity) | Price (per pack) | Price (per unit) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pomalyst (pomalidomide) | oral capsules | 1mg (21) | $19,051.05 | $907.19 |
| 2mg (21) | $19,051.05 | $907.19 | ||
| 3mg (21) | $19,051.05 | $907.19 | ||
| 4mg (21) | $19,051.05 | $907.19 | ||
| Revlimid (lenalidomide) | oral capsules | 2.5mg (28) | $22,313.77 | $796.92 |
| 5mg (28) | $22,313.77 | $796.92 | ||
| 10mg (28) | $22,313.77 | $796.92 | ||
| 15mg (21) | $16,737.72 | $797.03 | ||
| 20mg (21) | $16,737.72 | $797.03 | ||
| 25mg (21) | $16,737.72 | $797.03 | ||
| Thalomid (thalidomide) | oral capsules | 50mg (10) | $1,972.07 | $197.21 |
| 100mg (140) | $40,555.37 | $289.68 | ||
| 150mg (112) | $34,692.35 | $309.75 | ||
| 200mg (84) | $27,707.33 | $329.85 |
Monoclonal antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies that specifically target the cancer cell which makes the patient’s immune system attack the cancer cell.
| Monoclonal antibodies | Form | Strength (quantity) | Price (per pack) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empliciti (elotuzumab) | powder for injection | 300mg (1) | $2,036.90 |
| 400mg (1) | $2,712.69 | ||
| Darzalex (daratumumab) | IV solution | 20mg/ml (5ml) | $589.63 |
| 20mg/ml (20ml) | $2,330.02 | ||
| Sarclisa (isatuximab | IV solution | 100mg/5ml (1) | $650.00 |
| 500mg/25ml (1) | $5200.00 |
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy helps to stop the growth of rapidly increasing malignant cells.
| Chemotherapy | Form | Strength (quantity) | Price (per pack) |
|---|---|---|---|
| cyclophosphamide | powder for injection | 500mg (1) | $120.26 |
| 1g (1) | $231.01 | ||
| 2g (1) | $965.79 |
Histone deacetylase inhibitors
The histone deacetylase inhibitor stops or reduces cancer cell growth by interfering with gene expression which needs histones for the coiling and uncoiling of the DNA.
| Histone deacetylase inhibitors | Form | Strength (quantity) | Price (per pack) | Price (per unit) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farydak (panobinostat) | oral capsules | 10mg (6) | $11,166.92 | $1,861.15 |
| 20mg (6) | $11,166.92 | $1,861.15 |
Price per course of anti-cancer medication treatment
The total cost of medications for an anti-cancer treatment will also depend on
- combination of medicines used
- doses per treatment course, whether daily, weekly or two weekly
- number of courses of treatment required.
References
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/treating/chemotherapy.html
- https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/kyprolis
- https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/ninlaro
- https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/velcade
- https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/pomalyst
- https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/revlimid
- https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/thalomid
- https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/empliciti
- https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/darzalex
- https://www.ajmc.com/view/fda-approves-isatuximabirfc-for-treatment-of-relapsed-refractory-multiple-myeloma
- https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/cyclophosphamide
- https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/farydak
Related medical questions
- What is Ninlaro used for?
- Ninlaro vs Velcade, which is better?
- Is Ninlaro (ixazomib) a chemotherapy drug? How does it work?
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- How effective is Ninlaro (ixazomib)?
Drug information
- Ninlaro Information for Consumers
- Ninlaro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Ninlaro (detailed)
Related support groups
- Ninlaro (6 questions, 5 members)
