nab-paclitaxel/carboplatin induction in squamous NSCLC: longitudinal quality of life while on chemotherapy

Thomas, Michael, Spigel, David R., Jotte, Robert M., McCleod, Michael, Socinski, Mark A., Page, Ray D., Gressot, Laurent, Knoble, Jeanna, Juan, Oscar, Morgensztern, Daniel, Isla, Dolores, Kim, Edward S., West, Howard, Ko, Amy, Ong, Teng Jin, Trunova, Nataliya, Gridelli, Cesare

The authors thank Lipu Tan at Celgene for his programming work. Medical writing assistance was provided by Dena Jacob, PhD, MediTech Media, Ltd, funded by Celgene Corporation. The authors were fully responsible for all content and editorial decisions for this manuscript. This work was supported by Celgene Corporation.

Background: Longitudinal data on the impact of treatment on quality of life (QoL) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are limited. In this palliative setting, treatment that does not deteriorate QoL is key. Here we report longitudinal QoL in patients with squamous NSCLC, receiving <= 4 cycles of nab-paclitaxel/carboplatin combination chemotherapy. Methods: Patients received nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m(2) days 1, 8, 15 + carboplatin area under the curve 6 mg*min/mL day 1 (q3w) for four cycles. QoL was assessed by the Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS) and Euro-QoL-5 Dimensions-5 Levels (EQ-5D-5L) at baseline and each cycle (day 1). Results: Two-hundred and six lesion-response-evaluable patients completed baseline + >= 1 postbaseline QoL assessment and were QoL evaluable. LCSS average total score and symptom burden index improved from baseline throughout four cycles. In the LCSS pulmonary symptoms score, 46% of patients reported clinically meaningful improvement (>= 10 mm visual analog scale) from baseline. Individual EQ-5D-5L dimensions remained stable/improved in >= 83% of patients; approximate to 33% reported complete resolution of baseline problems at least once during four cycles. Generally, responders (unconfirmed complete/partial response) had higher scores vs nonresponders. Conclusion: In patients with squamous NSCLC, four cycles of nab-paclitaxel/carboplatin demonstrated clinically meaningful QoL improvements, with greater benefits in responders vs nonresponders.

nab-paclitaxel/carboplatin induction in squamous NSCLC: longitudinal quality of life while on chemotherapy Article