Photocure study: BLC offers economic and clinical benefits for bladder cancer

Photocure announced the publication of a study in the Journal of Medical Economics evaluating the budget impact of hexaminolevulinate-enhanced photodynamic diagnosis (BLC) for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) across four European markets: Denmark, France, Italy, and Finland. The study found varying economic impacts due to different healthcare payment systems. Denmark reported a net surplus of €170 per patient, while France and Italy showed net costs of €108 and €120 per patient, respectively. Finland had a net cost of €206 per patient over a three-year horizon.

The analysis emphasizes that BLC provides a clinically meaningful and economically rational approach to NMIBC management by improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing recurrence risk, which lessens the need for early repeat TURBT. This offers capacity and cost-offset implications for hospitals, regardless of local reimbursement mechanisms.

According to Dr. Jonathan Belsey, a health economics expert and study author, these findings underscore the consistent clinical and economic value of enhanced diagnostic accuracy. Photocure's chief medical officer, Anders Neijber, highlighted the role of precision diagnostics like BLC in transforming bladder cancer care.