Clinical interpretation of quality-of-life outcomes: an investigation of data from the randomized trial of gemcitabine plus paclitaxel compared with paclitaxel alone for advanced breast cancer

The Breast Journal
P HopwoodIan Smith

Abstract

Quality-of-Life (QL) data are increasingly relevant to trial results, but are often difficult to interpret and apply clinically; methods to address this problem are needed. Exploratory analyses were conducted using QL data from a recent phase III trial comparing front line gemcitabine plus paclitaxel (GT) versus paclitaxel (T) alone in patients with advanced breast cancer. The most troublesome symptom and toxicity items were identified. For each QL domain, associations and change over time were analyzed using clinically relevant data. The impact of tumor response and duration of therapy on QL outcomes was assessed using pooled data from both treatment arms. Baseline QL data were available from 336 patients, out of 266 patients enrolled on the GT arm and 263 patients enrolled on the T arm. The prevalence of disease-related symptoms was low; 7 of the 10 most troublesome items were psychological. Clinical levels of psychological distress were significantly associated with global QL and reduced significantly over time in both arms. Improved QL was significantly associated with reduced functional impairment, tumor response and completing more cycles of therapy. In this patient population, QL may be closely associated with the clinic...Continue Reading

References

Apr 1, 1992·Quality of Life Research : an International Journal of Quality of Life Aspects of Treatment, Care and Rehabilitation·E Paci
Jan 1, 1992·European Journal of Cancer : Official Journal for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [and] European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)·M A RichardsA Howell
Jan 1, 1994·European Journal of Cancer : Official Journal for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [and] European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)·T IbbotsonL Wallace
Aug 13, 1999·Breast Cancer Research and Treatment·S A McLachlanI F Tannock
May 3, 2001·Quality of Life Research : an International Journal of Quality of Life Aspects of Treatment, Care and Rehabilitation·K A WilsonI F Tannock
Jul 10, 2001·Acta Oncologica·B GunnarsUNKNOWN SBU-group. Swedish Council of Technology Assessment in Health Care
Mar 12, 2002·Annals of Oncology : Official Journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology·F CardosoM J Piccart
Jun 13, 2002·Mayo Clinic Proceedings·Mirjam A G SprangersUNKNOWN Clinical Significance Consensus Meeting Group
Jul 13, 2002·Cancer·Nadége CarelleDavid Khayat
Oct 24, 2002·Journal of Clinical Epidemiology·Gordon H GuyattLauren E Griffith
Feb 20, 2003·Journal of the National Cancer Institute·Pamela J GoodwinPatricia A Ganz
Jan 16, 2004·The Lancet Oncology·Susan Mayor
Mar 19, 2004·Journal of Biopharmaceutical Statistics·Peter M Fayers
Jan 22, 2005·European Journal of Cancer : Official Journal for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [and] European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)·David OsobaUNKNOWN Quality of Life Committee of the NCIC CTG

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jan 11, 2011·Journal of the National Cancer Institute·Julie LemieuxValérie Théberge
Jun 8, 2012·European Journal of Cancer Care·E ReedJ Hawthorn
Oct 23, 2008·Health and Quality of Life Outcomes·Beenish NafeesJessamy Watkins

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.