Optimizing the management of immune-related adverse events and survival in patients with thoracic cancer receiving immunotherapy through artificial intelligence (electronic patient-reported outcomes): The IMPATHI study

Introduction: The lung cancer continues to be the primary cause of cancer-related deaths, despite significant advancements in treatment through the introduction of immunological checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). These inhibitors, initially used as monotherapy, are now employed in combined therapies, resulting in improved survival rates. The ICI function by restoring T-cell activity to target tumor cells, but may lead to undesirable immune-related adverse events (irAE), necessitating careful management.

Methods: The IMPATHI study, a prospective observational study conducted at the Begin Military Hospital, evaluated patient adherence to ePRO-based telemonitoring using the Cureety platform. The study included patients with advanced thoracic cancer receiving immunotherapy. Minors and those who did not consent to digital surveillance were excluded. Patients filled out ePRO questionnaires, and their health status was classified into four levels. The primary objective was compliance evaluation, with secondary objectives including tolerance profile and impact on survival.

Results: The study recruited 22 patients, with a median age of 66years. Adenocarcinoma was the most common diagnosis, and 91% of patients had metastatic disease. Patient adherence to the telemonitoring platform was 83.3%, with 64% of responses indicating stable conditions. Common adverse events included asthenia, dyspnea, and joint/muscle pain. The 24-month progression-free survival rate was 79%, and the overall survival rate was 71.1%.

Conclusion: The IMPATHI study demonstrates the potential of telemonitoring in the management of lung cancer patients receiving ICI therapy, with high compliance and promising survival outcomes. Telemonitoring offers significant benefits in early detection of adverse events and personalized care to patients. Future efforts should focus on expanding access to telemonitoring for all patients.