This year's winner of the Netherlands Cancer Institute's Patient Impact Award is the research team of the SONIA study. Principal investigator and medical oncologist Gabe Sonke received the award today, after which he provided a lecture. The award is granted annually to the clinical innovation with the greatest impact.
“The SONIA study is an excellent example of innovation and clinical impact,” says Jacqueline Stouthard, jury and Executive Board member for Care and Care Development. “The findings of this study are of great value to breast cancer patients as well as society as a whole, in terms of health and costs.”
Innovation and cost savings
The SONIA study investigated whether starting CDK4/6 inhibitors immediately in combination with hormone therapy is as effective as a delayed start for women with metastatic hormone-sensitive breast cancer, who use these drugs to enhance the effects of hormone therapy. The results show that a later and shorter treatment yields the same outcomes as starting treatment immediately. The smart use of this medication not only reduces side effects, but also results in savings of €35,000 per patient compared to the internationally established standard treatment.
The research was conducted when CDK4/6 inhibitors first entered the market, providing an ideal opportunity to introduce this new treatment as part of a study. “The SONIA study, which could count on the participation of 74 out of 75 hospitals in the Netherlands, is also a true ‘real-life’ study.” Its design can serve as an example for future research into the true value of new and often expensive drugs in everyday practice. “This research highlights the importance of efficiency studies in healthcare, focusing on improving patients' quality of life while keeping costs manageable.”
The SONIA study is an initiative of oncologists Prof. Dr. Gabe Sonke Netherlands Cancer Institute), Dr. Agnes Jager (Erasmus MC), Dr. Inge Konings (Amsterdam UMC), on behalf of the Dutch Breast Cancer Research Group (Borstkanker Onderzoek Groep; BOOG), and in collaboration with the Dutch Breast Cancer Association (Borstkanker Vereniging Nederland; BVN), the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (Integraal Kankercentrum Nederland; IKNL), and the Institute for Health Policy & Management (iMTA).