Decision-making and health-related quality of life in patients with melanoma considering adjuvant immunotherapy Journal Article


Authors: Atkinson, T. M.; Hay, J. L.; Kim, S. Y.; Schofield, E.; Postow, M. A.; Momtaz, P.; Warner, A. B.; Shoushtari, A. N.; Callahan, M. K.; Wolchok, J. D.; Li, Y.; Chapman, P. B.
Article Title: Decision-making and health-related quality of life in patients with melanoma considering adjuvant immunotherapy
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Adjuvant anti-PD1 treatment improves relapse-free survival (RFS) but has not been shown to improve overall survival (OS) in melanoma and is associated with risks of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), some permanent. We identified factors patients consider in deciding whether to undergo adjuvant anti-PD1 treatment and assessed prospective health-related quality of life (HRQoL), treatment satisfaction, and decisional regret. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with stage IIIB-IV cutaneous melanoma and free of disease, were candidates for adjuvant anti-PD1 immunotherapy, and had not yet discussed adjuvant treatment options with their oncologist were eligible. Participants viewed a 4-minute informational video tailored to their disease stage which communicated comprehensive, quantitative information about the risk of relapse both with and without adjuvant treatment, and risks of each irAE before deciding whether or not to opt for adjuvant therapy. We collected data on demographics, HRQoL, and attitudes toward adjuvant treatment over 1 year. RESULTS: 14/34 patients (41%) opted for adjuvant anti-PD1 immunotherapy, 20/34 (59%) opted for observation. Patients choosing adjuvant immunotherapy scored higher on HRQoL social well-being at pre-treatment, were more likely to endorse positive statements about adjuvant immunotherapy, and to perceive that their physician preferred adjuvant therapy. They had lower decisional regret and higher satisfaction, even if they experienced toxicity or recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: When provided with comprehensive quantitative information about risks and benefits of adjuvant anti-PD1 immunotherapy, 20/34 (59%) of patients opted for observation. Patients choosing adjuvant immunotherapy had lower decisional regret and higher satisfaction over time even if they had poorer outcomes in treatment. © The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press.
Keywords: melanoma; quality of life; neoplasm recurrence, local; skin neoplasms; skin tumor; immunotherapy; tumor recurrence; humans; human
Journal Title: The Oncologist
Volume: 28
Issue: 4
ISSN: 1083-7159
Publisher: Oxford University Press  
Date Published: 2023-04-01
Start Page: 351
End Page: 357
Language: English
DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyac266
PUBMED: 36745014
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC10078893
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 May 2023 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Yuelin Li
    219 Li
  2. Jedd D Wolchok
    905 Wolchok
  3. Michael Andrew Postow
    362 Postow
  4. Paul Chapman
    326 Chapman
  5. Thomas Michael Atkinson
    155 Atkinson
  6. Margaret Kathleen Callahan
    197 Callahan
  7. Jennifer L Hay
    265 Hay
  8. Parisa   Momtaz
    54 Momtaz
  9. Elizabeth A Schofield
    161 Schofield
  10. Soo Young Kim
    19 Kim