In the same vein, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology(ASCO) meeting in Los Angeles this week, T. J. Smith of VirginiaCommonwealth University in Richmond, reported on "EconomicAnalysis of Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cell (PBPC) or AutologousBone Marrow (ABM) Transplant in Relapsing Hodgkin Disease andNon-Hodgkin Lymphoma."

Of 71 patients who underwent high-dose chemotherapy with PBPC orABM support, the former cohort had shorter hospitalization (17 vs.23 days) and superior platelet recovery indicators.

Estimated costs were $9,500 for ABM harvest and $4,360 for PBPCcollection, with total per-patient costs of $33.800 for PBPC vs.$47,400 for ABM. "Cost savings," the study concluded, "were due toshorter hospitalizations with less supportive care." n

(c) 1997 American Health Consultants. All rights reserved.