Humanistic burden of living with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive non-small-cell lung cancer: findings from the ALKConnect patient insight network and research platform

Huamao M Lin; Xiaoyun Pan; Alyssa Biller; Kyla J Covey; Hui Huang; Rebecca Sugarman; Fatima Scipione; Howard West

doi:10.2217/lmt-2020-0018

Humanistic burden of living with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive non-small-cell lung cancer: findings from the ALKConnect patient insight network and research platform

Lung Cancer Manag. 2020 Nov 20;10(1):LMT42. doi: 10.2217/lmt-2020-0018.

Authors

Huamao M Lin¹, Xiaoyun Pan¹, Alyssa Biller¹, Kyla J Covey², Hui Huang¹, Rebecca Sugarman³, Fatima Scipione¹, Howard West⁴

Affiliations

¹ Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.
² Invitae Corporation, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA.
³ Xcenda, Palm Harbor, FL 34685, USA.
⁴ City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.

Abstract

Aim: Evaluate real-world patient preferences, experiences and outcomes (health-related quality of life [HRQoL]) from patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) utilizing the ALKConnect Patient Insight Network.

Patients & methods: Demographics, disease history/status/treatment, patient preferences and HRQoL (MD Anderson Symptom Inventory lung cancer module, reported as symptom severity and interference) were evaluated for US adults with ALK+ NSCLC.

Results: Among 104 patients (median age: 53.0 years, 67.3% female, 40.0% employed), HRQoL and 3-month delay in disease progression were important treatment attributes. Burdensome symptoms included fatigue and disturbed sleep. Symptoms interfered most with work and day-to-day activity. Higher HRQoL was associated with ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment and employment.

Conclusion: ALKConnect demonstrated that disease progression, HRQoL, fatigue/sleep, ALK TKIs and employment matter in ALK+ NSCLC.

Keywords: anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+); health-related quality of life (HRQoL); non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC); symptom interference; symptom severity; tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).