How much does a course of zolbetuximab cost?

The cost of zolbetuximab treatment for gastric cancer is affected by multiple variables, including dosage regimen, body surface area, treatment cycle, national and regional pricing, exchange rate, whether it is included in medical insurance, and hospital purchase price, etc., so there is no completely unified number. However, a reference cost estimation logic can be provided based on the official recommended dosage model and current price levels.

The dosage regimen is usually: initial intravenous injection 800mg/m², followed by 600mg/m² every 3 weeks or 400mg/m² every 2 weeks to continue treatment until disease progression or intolerable toxicity occurs. Since dosage is based on body surface area, the number of vials required per dose varies among adult patients. Based on the 100mg packaging currently on the market, the first dose requires a larger number of tubes, so the initial cost is relatively high, while the maintenance cost depends on the length of the dosing cycle.

If calculated based on the domestic reference price of about 7,000 yuan per bottle, which is not yet covered by medical insurance, the first dose is often the most expensive in the entire course of treatment. During the maintenance period, monthly costs are typically kept within a fixed range based on the frequency of dosing every 2-3 weeks. Overall, a complete course of treatment may cost hundreds of thousands of yuan, and the specific amount depends on: body surface area, duration of efficacy, hospital pricing, changes in exchange rates, treatment strategy adjustments and other factors.

In clinical practice, the duration of use of zotuximab varies greatly depending on individual patient responses. Some patients maintain a stable state over multiple cycles, while others may need to change plans early, causing significant fluctuations in treatment costs. Therefore, doctors often perform CLDN18.2 marker screening before treatment to improve the efficiency of drug use and thereby reduce ineffective costs.

Reference materials:https://www.astellas.com/en/news/29401