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Ms. Kharat wins 2022-23 Grad Research Fellowship

Ms. Aditi A. Kharat has been awarded the 2022-2023 Graduate Research Fellowship Award by the University of Utah

Aditi Kharat

Ms. Aditi A Kharat has been awarded the 2022-2023 Graduate Research Fellowship Award by the University of Utah for her outstanding research in the field of pancreatic cancer. The award provides $20,108 to fund her dissertation project titled “Health Economic Evaluation of Chemotherapy Treatment Regimens (FOLFIRINOX and Gemcitabine Nab-paclitaxel) for Pancreatic Cancer”.

 

Over the last two decades there have been significant improvements in survival for cancer patients due to superior therapeutic strategies and earlier detection but the situation for pancreatic cancer is somewhat different. Despite the use of superior combination chemotherapy regimens, improvements in survival have been very modest for pancreatic cancer patients. Combination chemotherapy treatments, FOLFIRINOX and Gemcitabine Nab-paclitaxel have been effective in improving survival, but these treatments pose a significant economic burden not only on the patients but also on the U.S. healthcare system. The purpose of the study is to evaluate and compare healthcare resource utilization, safety, efficacy, and cost effectiveness of FOLFIRINOX and Gemcitabine Nab-paclitaxel among U.S. adults with pancreatic cancer.

 

The findings of the study will provide real world evidence on economic burden and will help inform providers and payers about the value of the combination chemotherapy regimens. By supporting clinical and policy decision making, the study has the potential to increase cost-savings and yield improvements in health outcomes.