Skip to main content

Table 4 Level of evidence for the 6 drugs with the highest off-label use

From: Off-label use of cancer therapies in women diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States

Drugs

Total

Total off-label (%)

BC specific off-label

Level of evidence

Primary ICD9 diagnosis code other than BC

Vinorelbine

732

413 (27.0%)

395

Sufficient

147, 184.4, 188, 202.8, 204.1

Carboplatin

444

382 (25.0%)

338

Limited

147, 162, 182, 191, 202.88, 235.7

Bevacizumab

132

199 (13.0%)

222

Limited

162.9, 184.4, 191.92, 202.8

Leuprolide

136

133 (8.7%)

122

Limited

171, 173.3

Liposomal Doxorubicin

104

67 (4.4%)

59

Limited

162.8, 171.9, 202.8

Cisplatin

68

48 (3.1%)

23

Limited

149.8, 150, 151, 162, 170.3, 173.3, 182, 195.0, 201, 202.8, 203,

  1. The total number of off-label encounters and percentage of total encounters is listed for each drug. The level of evidence and recommendation for the off-label use associated to a breast cancer diagnosis were graded as Sufficient, Limited or Inadequate based on the source and strength of the evidence available during the study period. If the off-label encounter was associated to another condition, the ICD-9-CM code was recorded.
  2. 1All bevacizumab encounters before February 22, 2008.
  3. 2Glioblastoma indication approved by FDA (May 05, 2009) after the drug was administered BC = breast cancer.