Health-related quality of life in survivors of advanced melanoma treated with anti-PD1-based immune checkpoint inhibitors

Looman, EL; Cheng, PF; Lai-Kwon, J; Morgan, L; Wakkee, M; Dummer, R; Dimitriou, F

Author(s): Looman, EL; Cheng, PF; Lai-Kwon, J; Morgan, L; Wakkee, M; Dummer, R; Dimitriou, F;
Details: Publication Year 2023-06,Volume 12,Issue #11,Page 12861-12873
Journal Title: Cancer Medicine
Publication Type: Research article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly improved survival in advanced melanoma but are associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs). This single center, cross-sectional survey aimed to describe the long-term symptom burden and impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL) of advanced melanoma patients with sustained disease control following treatment with ICIs. METHODS: Advanced melanoma patients (stage IIB, III or IV, AJCCv8), treated with anti-PD1-based ICIs, who were off-treatment and had at least 6 months follow-up from their last infusion with an ongoing response in the metastatic setting or no evidence of disease recurrence in the adjuvant setting. A paper-based questionnaire, consisting of the EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-FA12, and the PRO-CTCAE was administered. RESULTS: Of 90 participants, 61 (68%) completed the questionnaire; 40 received single-agent anti-PD1, and 21 anti-PD1/anti-CTLA4. Thirty-three (54%) were treated in the adjuvant setting. At the time of enrolment, 31 (51%) participants had active treatment for a previous irAE. Overall, 18/61 (30%) participants reported long-term symptoms and trouble in physical and emotional functioning. Physical fatigue was common and interfered with daily activities (n = 12, 20%). In the PRO-CTCAE questionnaire, muscle ache (n = 12, 20%) and joint ache (n = 9, 15%) were commonly reported. Despite this, participants reported overall good health (6.00, range 2.00-7.00) and reasonable level of HRQL (6.00, range 3.00-7.00). DISCUSSION: Melanoma survivors experience long-term symptoms in physical and psychosocial HRQL domains after ICI treatment. These results underline the importance to address existing gaps in survivorship care, implement these findings in clinical practice and increase awareness for long-term symptoms in these patients.
Publisher: Wiley
Keywords: Humans; *Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/adverse effects; Quality of Life; Cross-Sectional Studies; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/drug therapy; *Melanoma/pathology; Survivors; immune checkpoint inhibitors; immunotherapy; melanoma; survivorship
Department(s): Medical Oncology
PubMed ID: 37119050
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5967
Open Access at Publisher's Site: https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5967
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2023-09-12 01:58:43

Last Modified: 2023-09-12 01:59:21