Maintenance therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a pilot study on patients' perceptions.
BACKGROUND
Several randomized trials on maintenance therapy (MT) for metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have demonstrated benefit in progression-free survival. More recently, a study with pemetrexed and one with erlotinib also showed significant gains in overall survival (OS). Yet, in this palliative treatment setting, the benefit has to be weighed against the potential burden of treatment, and thus patients' preferences should be taken into account.


METHODS
In the absence of data on this topic, we undertook a pilot survey with 10 questions covering the overall patient attitude toward MT, the benefit expected by patients, and the acceptance of side effects or modes of administration. Included patients had stage IV NSCLC and were planned to start first-line platinum-based doublet chemotherapy. The questionnaire was submitted at the start of and after two and four cycles of chemotherapy.


RESULTS
Thirty patients were included. Overall, patients had a positive attitude toward MT. At baseline, it was considered worthwhile by 83%, 67%, and 43% of patients for an OS benefit of 6, 3, or 1 month, respectively, with some decrease over time. Effects on symptom control were crucial for about 90% of the patients. There was a slight preference for oral versus intravenous administration. Side effects were accepted by most patients as long as they were mild to moderate.


CONCLUSIONS
Our pilot survey showed that metastatic NSCLC patients in general are in favor of MT. They expect either an OS benefit of at least several months, or better symptom control, in balance with mild-to-moderate side effects.
Respiratory Oncology Unit Pulmonology) and Leuven Lung Cancer Group, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
Lies
L
Peeters
Anne
A
Sibille
Bea
B
Anrys
Christel
C
Oyen
Christophe
C
Dooms
Kristiaan
K
Nackaerts
Isabelle
I
Wauters
Johan
J
Vansteenkiste
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate
D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds