Project update: September 2025
We are pleased to bring you the 5th VALUE-Ig project update with a brief update on project progress.
Our project extension application has been successful, and the project is now expected to conclude on 31 March 2027.
Research updates
Haematological malignancy
We are continuing to analyse Victorian hospitalisation data from the Centre for Victorian Data Linkage (CVDL), with several manuscripts currently being prepared for publication. Specifically, our research investigates the circumstances leading to hospitalisation due to infections in patients with multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), as well as the reasons these patients commence immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapy.
Abstracts have recently been submitted to the Blood and Australian Health Economics Society conferences by PhD student Rainier Arnolda, one focused on predicting infection risk and another estimating infection-related hospitalisation costs, both in patients with multiple myeloma.
Sara Carrillo de Albornoz has published a systematic review of the cost and cost-effectiveness of immunoglobulin treatment in patients with haematological malignancies. Sara has also published a research paper on Ig use, survival and infection outcomes in patients with CLL.
Dr Laura Fanning has developed a discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey that seeks to quantitatively understand patient preferences for treatments that help to prevent infections, including antibiotics and immunoglobulins. The survey will help us understand which features of infection prevention treatments matter most to patients, and how their importance may change depending on the level of infection risk. The survey is currently recruiting adult patients with a haematological malignancy diagnosis (myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia). If you or someone you know is eligible to participate, please share this information and direct them to complete the DCE survey.
Myasthenia gravis (MG)
We have been conducting the VALUE-MG study in collaboration with MGBase to prospectively enrol patients and collect additional data to better understand the value of immunoglobulin (Ig) therapy for individuals with myasthenia gravis (MG). This non-interventional study has been capturing key patient-reported outcome measures as part of routine clinical care, and it will be exciting to soon see these results.
Alfred Health has enrolled more than 63 participants to date, while the Brain and Mind Centre in Sydney has recruited 32, Eastern Health 39, Royal Melbourne Hospital 12, and Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane 27.
A discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey that aims to understand patient preferences for treatments in MG is currently in development and is expected to commence recruitment early next year through five hospitals participating in the VALUE-MG study, as well as via Myasthenia Alliance Australia. In addition, a research paper describing the formative development work underpinning the DCE design, which included the nominal group technique and focus groups with patients with MG, is currently under peer review.
Events
Essentials of Health Economics
Join us for an interactive online workshop, Essentials of Health Economics, hosted by the OPTIMAL Centre of Research Excellence on Monday, 10 November 2025, from 1.00–2.30 pm AEDT.
MG webinar
We will also have an MG webinar in collaboration with OPTIMAL researchers and Myasthenia Alliance Australia.
The Introduction to Myasthenia Gravis Webinar will take place on Monday, 24 November 2025, from 3.00–4.30 pm AEDT. For registration and program information, please visit the OPTIMAL events page.
Contact
If you have any queries about the study or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact the team at value.ig@monash.edu
Prof Dennis Petrie
Centre for Health Economics, Monash University
On behalf of the VALUE-Ig team.