Health-related quality of life in cancer patients treated with PD-(L)1 inhibitors: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: A systematic review was performed to explore the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes among cancer patients receiving PD-(L)1 inhibitors compared to those receiving traditional cytotoxic therapy. Areas covered: Citations from PubMed and the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting library were examined. Cross-references from original studies and review articles were also reviewed. Eligible trials included randomized controlled trials of cancer patients treated with one of the PD-(L)1 inhibitors and reporting HRQoL outcomes. A total of 11 studies were included in the current review. PD-(L)1 inhibitors were associated with a consistent prolongation of the time to symptomatic deterioration. This was shown with the three agents (nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and atezolizumab) as well as across a variety of solid tumors (lung cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancer and urothelial cancer). Moreover, PD-(L)1 inhibitor therapy was associated with better symptomatic control at different follow-up points. This was observed regardless of the agent used of the solid tumor treated. Expert commentary: Across a variety of solid tumor indications as well as a variety of PD-(L)1 inhibitors, the use of PD-(L)1 inhibitors is associated with an improvement in the quality of life. The utility of patient-reported outcomes in predicting clinical benefit from these agents needs to be explored further.