Health-Related Quality of Life and Symptom Burden in Melanoma Patients During and After Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy

Researchers from the Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Germany, have conducted a pilot study to investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and symptom burden in patients with melanoma during and after immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. The study aimed to collect and compare data on symptom burden and HRQoL in patients during and after ICI therapy using a treatment-/disease-specific PRO-CTCAE item list and general oncologic HRQoL instruments.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that patients with melanoma undergoing ICI therapy reported lower HRQoL scores compared to patients in clinical trials and population norm data.
• The treatment group frequently reported pruritus and xerostomia, while survivors frequently reported aching joints, memory loss, and a considerable emotional burden.
• The specific PRO-CTCAE identified further relevant symptoms than the general instruments, indicating the importance of using treatment-/disease-specific instruments for measuring HRQoL.
• The study highlighted the need for comprehensive data on HRQoL and specific aspects of treatment in patients with melanoma undergoing ICI therapy and survivors.
• The researchers recommend using therapy-/disease-specific instruments for measuring HRQoL in patients with melanoma.
• The study was funded by the Universitatsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden an der Technischen Universitat Dresden.

Statistics:

• 73 patients were interviewed in the treatment group, while 26 patients were interviewed in the survivor group.
• The mean HRQoL score in the treatment group was 61.0 (SD ± 21), while it was 67.0 (SD ± 21) in the survivor group.
• The treatment group reported almost twice as many symptoms (43) as the survivor group (22), with pruritus and xerostomia being the most frequently reported symptoms.
• The survivor group reported aching joints, memory loss, and a considerable emotional burden.

Sources:

• "Health-related quality of life and symptom burden in patients with melanoma during and after immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy - a pilot study." BMC Cancer, 2025;25(1):1599.
• Bmc, Campus, 4 Crinan St, London N1 9XW, England. (BioMed Central - www.biomedcentral.com/; BMC Cancer - www.biomedcentral.com/bmccancer/)
• Universitatsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden an der Technischen Universitat Dresden
• Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany.