Health-related quality of life after first-line anti-cancer treatments for advanced non-small cell lung cancer in clinical practice

Scrambler Therapy Enhances Quality of Life in Cancer Patients in a Palliative Care Setting: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Objectives:

Given the known side effects of opioids and the negative impact of these side effects on quality of life (QOL), there is a need for therapies that can reduce opioid intake and improve QOL in patients suffering from cancer pain. Scrambler therapy (ST) is a neuromodulatory therapy that has been shown to reduce cancer pain, but its effect on QOL is not well understood. This study intended to evaluate the efficacy of ST for enhancing QOL in cancer patients through minimising pain and opioid intake.

Material and Methods:

This was a randomised controlled trial including 80 patients with head, neck and thoracic cancer. In both arms, patients were given pain management drugs following the WHO analgesic ladder for ten consecutive days. In the intervention arm each day ST was given. Pain, morphine intake, and QOL (WHOQOL-BREF) were assessed.

Results:

All domains of QOL improved significantly in the intervention arm in comparison to the control arm. In comparison to baseline, pain improved in both the intervention and the control arm on day 10 and at follow-up. However, QOL significantly improved in the intervention arm, while morphine intake decreased. In the control arm, QOL deteriorated, while morphine intake increased.

Conclusion:

ST significantly improved QOL. Since the increase in QOL took place along with a significantly lower morphine intake, the improvement in QOL may not only be explained by lower pain scores but, also, by a reduced intake of morphine, because the lower dosages of morphine will decrease the likelihood of side effects associated with the drug.

Psychometric Assessment of SpiDiscI: Spiritual Distress Scale for Palliative Care Patients in India

Objectives:

Spirituality has an impact on the quality of life of palliative care patients and it influences the way in which they experience their disease. Spiritual distress is a common issue among palliative care patients in India that is best assessed through a tool specifically designed for them. This study presents the findings of a psychometric assessment of SpiDiscI: a 16-item spiritual distress scale for Hindi speaking palliative care patients in India.

Materials and Methods:

This study used a non-experimental cross-sectional sample survey design. 400 cancer patients undergoing pain treatment at the pain and palliative care unit of a tertiary cancer hospital in New Delhi enrolled in the study and completed the study’s questionnaire. The questionnaire contained a section on demographic information, a numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain, SpiDiscI, FACIT-Sp-12, and WHOQOL-BREF. A subset of 50 patients with stable pain completed SpiDiscI a 2^nd time 2 weeks after the first administration of the scale to assess test-retest reliability.

Results:

The scale’s internal consistency is very good (Cronbach’s Alpha 0.85). Spiritual distress scores ranged from 0 to 93.8 (mean 37.1, SD 23.6). Significant negative correlations between SpiDiScI and both FACIT-Sp-12 (R = –0.16, P = 0.001) and WHOQOL-BREF (R = –0.27, P < 0.001) confirmed convergent validity. There was no significant association with NRS pain scores (R = 0.06, P = 0.224). The highly significant association (R = 0.75, P < 0.001) of the scores on assessments 2 weeks apart confirmed test-retest reliability.

Conclusion:

SpiDiScI is a reliable and valid measure to assess spiritual distress in research among Hindi speaking palliative care patients in India.

Dynamic Changes of Generic Quality of Life after Different Treatments for Localized Prostate Cancer

Generic quality of life (QoL) is an important issue in decision making related to the primary treatment of localized prostate cancer (PC). This study assessed the dynamic changes of QoL in patients with localized PC under different treatment modalities. From 2013 to 2018, we prospectively assessed QoL scores in patients with localized PC under unitary treatment using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) BREF version. The trajectories of the QoL scores after different treatments were estimated using a kernel-smoothing method. Dynamic changes in the major determinants were analyzed using a mixed effects model. The clinical features of the participants in our institute were compared with PC patients in Taiwan’s cancer registry. A total of 196 patients were enrolled with 491 repeated assessments. The participants shared similar clinical characteristics with the PC patients in Taiwan as a whole. Patients with lower household incomes showed statistically significant lower scores on all four domains and related facets, while PC survivors with comorbidities of anxiety and/or diabetes appeared to be affected on the physical domain and related facets. After controlling for these determinants, patients under active surveillance or observation demonstrated significantly higher QoL scores in the physical and social domains, as well as several facets belonging to these domains, in mixed models compared with patients undergoing radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy within the first year. The generic QoL scores were higher within the first year in patients receiving active surveillance or observation after controlling other significant factors. The difference diminished after one year of post management. More studies are needed to corroborate our findings.

Estimation of Quality-Adjusted Life Expectancy of Patients With Oral Cancer: Integration of Lifetime Survival With Repeated Quality-of-Life Measurements

BACKGROUND

Quality-adjusted life year is widely applied nowadays, which consider both survival and quality of life (QoL). When most diseases are becoming chronic, it is imperative to quantify the overall health impact of a disease in lifetime perspective.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to introduce methods for estimating quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) and loss of QALE in patients with a disease or specific conditions.

METHODS

The QALE of an index cohort can be represented as the integration of the product of lifetime survival function and mean QoL function. We introduce a robust extrapolation approach for estimating lifetime survival function and propose an approach for estimating lifetime mean QoL function for studies with limited follow-up. The best part of the proposed method is that the survival data and QoL data can be collected separately. A cohort of patients with a specific condition can be identified by databases that regularly collect data for the control of diseases, and their survival status is verified by linking to a mortality registry. Although nationwide QoL data are not available, researchers can implement a relative short-term follow-up interview on a random sample of patients to collect QoL data. For demonstration, we applied the proposed methods to estimate QALE and loss of QALE of oral cancer patients.

RESULTS

The estimates (95% confidence interval) of QALE for oral cancer patients were 11.0 (10.5-11.6) and 14.2 (12.7-15.5) quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for men and women, respectively. The estimates of loss of QALE for the male and female patients with oral cancer were 14.4 (13.8-14.9) and 7.5 (6.2-9.0) QALYs, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The methods for estimating QALE and loss of QALE can be applied to economic evaluation of cancer control, including screening.

Gefitinib provides similar effectiveness and improved safety than erlotinib for east Asian populations with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The first-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors gefitinib and erlotinib have both been proven effective for treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially in East Asian patients. We conducted this meta-analysis to compare their efficacy and safety in treating advanced NSCLC in this population.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for the relevant studies. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and adverse effects (AEs) were analyzed as primary endpoints.

RESULTS

We identified 5829 articles, among which 31 were included in the final analysis. Both gefitinib and erlotinib were effective for treating advanced NSCLC, with comparable PFS (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.97-1.10, p = 0.26), OS (95% CI: 0.89-1.21, p = 0.61), ORR (95% CI: 1.00-1.18, p = 0.06), and DCR (95% CI: 0.93-1.05, p = 0.68). Erlotinib induced a significantly higher rate of dose reduction (95% CI: 0.13-0.65, p = 0.002) and grade 3-5 AEs (95% CI: 0.27-0.71, p = 0.0008). In subgroup analysis of AEs, the erlotinib group had a significantly higher rate and severity of skin rash, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue and stomatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

With equal anti-tumor efficacy and fewer AEs compared with erlotinib, gefitinib is more suitable for treating advanced NSCLC in East Asian patients. Further large-scale, well-designed randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm our findings.

Gefitinib provides similar effectiveness and improved safety than erlotinib for advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors gefitinib and erlotinib are effective for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This meta-analysis compared their effectiveness and safety.

METHODS

We searched systematically in PubMed, ScienceDirect, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for relevant clinical trials regarding gefitinib versus erlotinib for NSCLC. Antitumor effectiveness (overall survival [OS], progression-free survival [PFS], objective response rate [ORR] and disease control rate [DCR]) and adverse effects [AEs]) were assessed.

RESULTS

Forty studies comprising 9376 participants were included. The results suggested that gefitinib and erlotinib are effective for advanced NSCLC with comparable PFS (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.98-1.11, P = .15), OS (95% CI: 0.93-1.19, P = .45), ORR (95% CI: 0.99-1.16, P = .07), and DCR (95% CI: 0.92-1.03, P = .35). For erlotinib, dose reduction was significantly more frequent (95% CI: 0.10-0.57, P = .001) as were grade 3 to 5 AEs (95% CI: 0.36-0.79, P = .002). In the subgroup analysis, the erlotinib group had a significant higher rate and severity of skin rash, nausea/vomiting, fatigue, and stomatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Gefitinib was proven to be the better choice for advanced NSCLC, with equal antitumor effectiveness and fewer AEs compared with erlotinib. Further large-scale, well-designed randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm our validation.

Dynamic changes in quality of life after three first-line therapies for EGFR mutation-positive advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Background

Three different tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been approved as first-line therapies for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive advanced non-small-cell lung cancer with similar overall survival. This study determined dynamic changes in quality of life (QoL) for patients using these therapies after controlling for potential confounders.

Methods

From 2011 to 2016, we prospectively assessed the utility values and QoL scores of patients using the EuroQol five-dimension and World Health Organization Quality-of-Life - Brief questionnaires. QoL functions after initiation of treatment were estimated using a kernel-smoothing method. Dynamic changes in major determinants were repeatedly assessed for constructing mixed models.

Results

A total of 344 patients were enrolled, with 934 repeated assessments. After controlling for performance status, disease progression, EGFR mutation subtype and other confounders, the mixed models showed significantly lower QoL scores for afatinib versus gefitinib in the physical, psychological and social domains, and 10 facets. The differences seemed to appear 10 months after initiation of treatment. In contrast, there was no significant difference between erlotinib and gefitinib in the scores of all domains and facets.

Conclusion

QoL in patients receiving afatinib seemed to be lower than in those receiving gefitinib. Since the sample sizes in this study were relatively small, more studies are warranted to corroborate these results.

Quality of life at 6 years after occupational injury

PURPOSE

Occupational injuries have considerable impact on workers' lives. However, data regarding workers' health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at several years after the injury are lacking. This study assessed workers' HRQOL at 6 years after occupational injury and determined related factors in each HRQOL domain.

METHODS

Workers who sustained an occupational injury in 2009 and who responded to a previous survey at 3 or 12 months after their injury were followed up in 2015. A total of 1715 participants were candidates for this study. The Taiwanese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life scale-abbreviated version (WHOQOL-BREF) was used to assess their HRQOL. Multiple linear regression analysis identified predictive factors for HRQOL at 6 years after occupational injury.

RESULTS

A total of 563 workers completed the questionnaire (response rate, 32.8%). Adverse life events and additional severe occupational injuries that occurred within the follow-up period, and decreased salary after the injury were significant factors for low scores in all domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. In addition, unmarried participants had low scores in the social relationship domain. Workers with family members requiring care scored low in the physical and environment domains. Workers whose injuries had major effects on their physical appearance had low scores in the physical and psychological domains. Workers with unstable employment had low scores in physical, psychological, and environment domains.

CONCLUSION

At 6 years after occupational injury, workers' HRQOL was poor among those whose salaries decreased after the injury, after adjustment for other factors.

Patterns of care for non-small cell lung cancer patients in Belgium: A population-based study

Guidelines recommend surgery for Stage I-II, chemoradiation for Stage III and systemic therapy for Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, patient related factors and patient preferences influence treatment decisions. We investigated patterns of care for Belgian NSCLC patients in 2010-2011, based on population-based data from the Belgian Cancer Registry and administrative databases. The relationship between patient characteristics, institutional diagnostic volume, type of treatment and survival was investigated. Overall, 20.8% of patients received no oncological treatment. 59% and 22.1% of Stage I-II patients received primary surgery or (chemo)radiation respectively. 34% of Stage III patients received chemoradiation and 17% of Stage IIIA patients had surgery. 70% of Stage IV patients received chemotherapy or targeted therapy. Moderate variability between centres was observed. For Stage IV, systemic therapy was less frequently used in higher volume centres and 1-year survival was lower in centres that had ≥ 50 new patients yearly. Although not all NSCLC patients received treatment as ideally recommended by guidelines, these results do not necessarily represent poor quality of care as patient characteristics and preferences need to be taken into account. Treatment options targeted towards patients with co-morbidity or unfit patients is warranted to improve outcomes of all NSCLC patients.

Health-related quality of life in patients with Barrett's esophagus

Background

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has become a major health problem globally, affecting patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a precancerous lesion associated with GERD. BE patients might not only suffer from HRQOL losses by GERD but also face psychological distress due to the increased risk of developing cancer. However, the majority of patients in Asia have shorter BE segment which is different from the West. This study aimed to determine whether the HRQOL in BE patients were worse than in healthy referents in Taiwan.

Methods

Patients who received referral esophagogastroduodenoscopy for various symptoms were evaluated for the existence of BE. Lesions were judged as endoscopically suspected esophageal metaplasia (ESEM) if they showed morphological resemblances to BE by endoscopy. The diagnosis of BE was confirmed by histology with intestinal metaplasia or gastric metaplasia based on the Montreal definition. The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) was administered to BE patients before treatment. For each BE patient, we selected 2 age-, sex-, educational background and municipality-matched healthy referents, sampled by simple randomization method from a national survey in Taiwan. Multiple linear regression models were constructed to control the potential confounders.

Results

A total of 84 patients diagnosed with BE were enrolled as BE group and then compared with 168 healthy referents. The BE group had significantly lower WHOQOL-BREF scores than those of healthy referents in the physical domain (P < 0.05) but higher scores in the environment domain (P < 0.05). In the physical domain, the BE group had significantly lower scores in various facets, including pain, discomfort, sleep and rest and dependence on medications or treatments. There was no significant difference in social and psychological domains between the BE group and healthy referents.

Conclusions

BE patients suffer from poor sleep and rest and high dependence on medications, which significantly reduce their quality of life. Individual facets of each domain warrants a better clinical healthcare to improve quality of life of BE patients.

Biopsy Procedures and Molecular Testing Utilization and Related Costs in Patients with Metastatic Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements are key therapeutic targets for biomarker-driven treatment with an EGFR or ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To appropriately guide treatment decisions, since 2011, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the American Society of Clinical Oncology therefore recommend EGFR and ALK analysis in tumor samples obtained at the time of diagnosis in patients with non-squamous NSCLC. Currently, there are limited data on utilization patterns and cost of biopsy procedures and biomarker tests in patients with metastatic NSCLC who receive an EGFR or ALK TKI.

OBJECTIVES

To (a) describe utilization patterns and costs associated with biopsy procedures and biomarker testing in patients with NSCLC who received erlotinib or crizotinib between 2009 and 2012 and (b) investigate the timing of these procedures relative to the erlotinib or crizotinib index date.

METHODS

Adult patients with metastatic lung cancer were identified by ICD-9-CM diagnostic codes within the Truven Health Analytic MarketScan database. Patients were included in the analysis if they had an index erlotinib or crizotinib claim between January 1, 2009, and September 30, 2012 (index period) and were continuously enrolled for ≥ 12 months before the index claim. Because there is no specific ICD-9-CM diagnostic code for NSCLC, patients with metastatic lung cancer who received erlotinib or crizotinib were considered to have metastatic NSCLC. Using CPT and ICD-9-CM codes, lung biopsy procedures performed during the 24 months before or 12 months after the index claim date were identified. For every patient, biomarker testing claims for EGFR and ALK were identified using the molecular pathology stacked CPT code during the 2 months before or 1 month after the index date. The frequency of claims for biopsy procedures and biomarker testing was analyzed descriptively. The overall summary measures for biomarker testing, especially frequency of EGFR testing in patients receiving erlotinib, was also described as before and after 2011, the year when biomarker testing became part of the guidelines. Per patient and overall costs for biopsy procedures and biomarker testing were calculated from payer and patient perspectives.

RESULTS

Of the 4,926 identified patients, 4,801 (97.5%) received erlotinib, and 125 (2.5%) received crizotinib. Biopsy procedure claims were identified for 3,579 (72.7%) patients, including 3,503 (73.0%) erlotinib recipients and 76 (60.8%) crizotinib recipients. Biomarker testing claims were identified for 675 (13.7%) patients, including 634 (13.2%) erlotinib recipients and 41 (32.8%) crizotinib recipients. Overall, most biomarker testing procedures (476 of 741) were identified in 435 (of 675) patients after year 2011. Also, among erlotinib recipients, percentage of patients receiving EGFR testing was increased over the index period. Per patient mean (SD) numbers of biopsy procedures and biomarker tests were 1.2 (1.1) and 0.2 (0.4), respectively. In the outpatient setting, per patient mean (SD) cost per biopsy procedure was $1,223 ($1,899) from the payer perspective and $60 ($147) from the patient perspective, whereas in the inpatient setting, it was $8,163 ($18,712) and $180 ($691), respectively. Among patients receiving at least 1 biomarker test, the per patient mean (SD) cost for the overall population was $891 ($1,062) and $43 ($229); for erlotinib recipients, it was $906 ($1,084) and $42 ($228); and for crizotinib recipients, it was $664 ($576) and $55 ($243) in payer and patient perspectives, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides insight into the use and cost of biopsy and biomarker testing procedures in patients with metastatic NSCLC. The low frequency of biomarker testing highlights the need for more awareness of testing to guide treatment decisions in these patients. Costs associated with biopsy procedures and biomarker testing provide insight into the economic impact on metastatic NSCLC patients treated with targeted therapy.

DISCLOSURES

This study was sponsored by Merck & Co. Shinde is a study manager working for Merck under contract with AllSourcePPS, an Agile 1 company in Huntington Beach, California. Cao and Kothari are employees of Merck & Co., Kenilworth, New Jersey. Study concept and design were contributed primarily by Shinde and Kothari. Data analysis was performed by Cao. Data interpretation was performed by Shinde, Cao, and Kothari. Shinde wrote the manuscript with assistance from Cao and Kothari. The revision was completed primarily by Shinde and Kothari.