The impact of avoiding recurrence: New BRAVO Study abstract at SUO 2025 demonstrates Cost Neutrality in Blue Light versus White Light Cystoscopy comparison
The impact of avoiding recurrence: New BRAVO Study abstract at SUO 2025 demonstrates Cost Neutrality in Blue Light versus White Light Cystoscopy comparison |
| [08-December-2025] |
OSLO, Norway, Dec. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Photocure ASA (OSE: PHO), the Bladder Cancer Company, announces the presentation of a health economics abstract from the BRAVO study at the Society of Urologic Oncology 2025 Annual Meeting (SUO) December 2-5, 2025, in Phoenix, AZ. The abstract 'COSTS OF CARE AND ONCOLOGIC OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH BLUE LIGHT CYSTOSCOPY IN AN EQUAL ACCESS SETTING: RESULTS FROM THE BRAVO STUDY' compares costs in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) care, incurred by white light cystoscopy (WLC) versus blue light cystoscopy (BLC®). Results of the real-world evidence study show that while BLC was associated with higher initial costs of treatment than WLC, lower recurrence rates in the BLC patient cohort drive cost neutrality overall. "Bladder cancer is associated with high treatment costs. A significant portion of cost is related to the high rates of cancer recurrence. In our study, utilization of BLC in the management of NMIBC was associated with modestly higher healthcare costs compared to white light. However, the majority of cost was related to increased use of guideline recommended intravesical therapy in the BLC cohort due to early detection of tumor. Early detection facilitated by BLC, appropriate intravesical therapy, and reduced recurrence significantly narrowed the cost differential that approached net cost neutrality compared to WL while providing superior clinical outcomes. These findings provide real-world cost data to aid in the decision-making process for utilizing BLC particularly in the care of high-risk NMIBC patients," said Dr. Steven Williams, Professor and Chief of the Division of Urology, at the University of Texas-Medical Branch, and one of the study authors. The BRAVO study (Bladder Cancer Recurrence Analysis in Veterans and Outcomes) is a propensity score matched, retrospective analysis evaluating outcomes following BLC compared to WLC alone in 622 patients from the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. The primary objective was to determine the difference in total healthcare costs over 1, 2, and 5-year intervals with available cost data. A cost-offset analysis was performed addressing multiple aspects of BLC healthcare costs including the financial impacts of recurrence avoidance. The Veterans' Affairs (VA) Healthcare system accepts all U.S. Veterans, regardless of financial background, and retains its patients, allowing for high-quality data capture over a long-term follow-up period, therefore serving as a robust real-world model for equal access. Results:
Conclusions: In a real-world equal-access setting, initial 5-year total costs for BLC were higher, mostly driven by outpatient costs likely related to increased utilization of intravesical therapies and closer surveillance in BLC patients. However, given lower recurrence rates with BLC and accounting for the costs of treating recurrence, the adjusted cost difference approaches net neutral. "The BRAVO results, showing that BLC reduces recurrence vs WLC in a cost efficient way, is consistent with other real world studies such as e.g. the recently published business impact model in 4 European countries BLC helps improving quality of NMIBC care, benefiting both patients and healthcare providers while managing costs," said Anders Neijber, Chief Medical Officer of Photocure. Read the study abstract here: https://suo-abstracts.secure-platform.com/a/gallery/rounds/24/details/4541 Note to editors: All trademarks mentioned in this release are protected by law and are registered trademarks of Photocure ASA. About Bladder Cancer Bladder cancer ranks as the 8th most common cancer worldwide – the 5th most common in men – with 1 949 000 prevalent cases (5-year prevalence rate)1a, 614 000 new cases and more than 220 000 deaths in 2022.1b 1 Globocan. a) 5-year prevalence / b) incidence/mortality by population. Available at: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed [February 2024]. About Hexvix®/Cysview® (hexaminolevulinate HCl) Hexvix/Cysview is a drug that preferentially accumulates in cancer cells in the bladder, making them glow bright pink during Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC®). BLC with Hexvix/Cysview, compared to standard white light cystoscopy alone, improves the detection of tumors and leads to more complete resection, fewer residual tumors, and better management decisions. About Photocure ASA Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, making cancer cells glow bright pink, has led to better health outcomes for patients worldwide. Photocure is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: PHO). For more information, please visit us at www.photocure.com/news. For more information, please contact: Dan Schneider Erik Dahl Priyam Shah Media enquiries: Geir Bjørlo This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com The following files are available for download:
SOURCE Photocure | ||
Company Codes: Bloomberg:PHO@NO,ISIN:NO0010000045,Oslo:PHO,RICS:PHO.OL |
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