Patient-reported outcomes after personalised dose-escalation for stage II-III non-small-cell lung cancer patients: Results from the randomised ARTFORCE PET-Boost trial

Background and purpose: The ultimate challenge in dose-escalation trials lies in finding the balance between benefit and toxicity. We examined patient-reported outcomes (PROs), including health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC), treated with dose-escalated radiotherapy. Materials and methods: The international, randomised, phase 2 ARTFORCE PET-Boost study (NCT01024829) aimed to improve 1-year freedom from local failure rates in patients with stage II-III NSCLC, with a ≥ 4 cm primary tumour. Treatment consisted of an individualised, escalated fraction dose, either to the primary tumour as a whole or to its most FDG-avid subvolume (24 x 3.0–5.4 Gy). Patients received sequential or concurrent chemoradiotherapy, or radiotherapy only. Patients were asked to complete the EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-LC13, and the EuroQol-5D at eight timepoints. We assessed the effect of dose-escalation on C30 sum score through mixed-modelling and evaluated clinically meaningful changes for all outcomes. Results: Between Apr-2010 and Sep-2017, 107 patients were randomised; 102 were included in the current analysis. Compliance rates: baseline 86.3%, 3-months 85.3%, 12-months 80.3%; lowest during radiation treatment 35.0%. A linear mixed-effect (LME) model revealed no significant change in overall HRQoL over time, and no significant difference between the two treatment groups. Physical functioning showed a gradual decline in both groups during treatment and at 18-months follow-up, while clinically meaningful worsening of dyspnoea was seen mainly at 3- and 6-months. Conclusion: In patients with LA-NSCLC treated with two dose-escalation strategies, the average patient-reported HRQoL remained stable in both groups, despite frequent patient-reported symptoms, including dyspnoea, dysphagia, and fatigue.