The effect of chemotherapy on health-related quality of life in mesothelioma: results from the SWAMP trial

British Journal of Cancer 2015 March 10 [Epub ahead of print] [Link]

Arnold DT, Hooper CE, Morley A, White P, Lyburn ID, Searle J, Darby M, Hall T, Hall D, Rahman NM, De Winton E, Clive A, Masani V, Dangoor A, Guglani S, Jankowska P, Lowndes SA, Harvey JE, Braybrooke JP, Maskell NA.

Abstract

Background

The effect of chemotherapy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is poorly understood. Patient-individualised prognostication and prediction of treatment response from chemotherapy is useful but little evidence exists to guide practice.

Method

Consecutive patients with MPM who were fit for first-line chemotherapy with pemetrexed and cisplatin\carboplatin were recruited and followed up for a minimum of 12 months. This study focussed on the HRQoL outcomes of these patients using the EQ-5D, EORTC QLQ-C30 and LC13.

Results

Seventy-three patients were recruited of which 58 received chemotherapy and 15 opted for best supportive care (BSC). Compliance with HRQoL questionnaires was 98% at baseline. The chemotherapy group maintained HRQoL compared with the BSC group whose overall HRQoL fell (P=0.006) with worsening dyspnoea and pain. The impact of chemotherapy was irrespective of histological subtype although those with non-epithelioid disease had worse HRQoL at later time points (P=0.012). Additionally, those with a falling mesothelin or improvement on modified-RECIST CT at early follow-up had a better HRQoL at 16 weeks.

Conclusions

HRQoL was maintained following chemotherapy compared with a self-selected BSC group. Once chemotherapy is initiated, a falling mesothelin or improved RECIST CT findings infer a quality-of-life advantage.