Reassessing onco-exceptionalism: equity and resource allocation in immunotherapeutic cancer treatments

2025/04/21 by Hamideh Frühwein, Nikolai Münch, Norbert W Paul +1 · 1 citation
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Medicine · #Biomedical Ethics and Regulation #Economic and Financial Impacts of Cancer #Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life

paper · doi:10.1136/jme-2025-110739

openalex publication_date 2025/04/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25

Abstract

Given that only a small fraction of patients with cancer exhibits specific markers making them eligible for effective targeted therapies, this paper investigates the justification of treating cancer differently in terms of resource allocation when it comes to the application of novel precise therapies-the so-called onco-exceptionalism. Specifically, it assesses whether the reimbursement of expensive drugs is equitable. To do so, we first contextualise healthcare resource allocation concerning immunotherapeutic treatments for cancer, then explore arguments for and against onco-exceptionalism and finally conclude by advocating for a proactive health approach.

Citations

• Global cancer statistics 2018: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries
• Cancer treatment and survivorship statistics, 2022
• Creating Capabilities: The Human Development Approach and Its Implementation

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