Unmet Need and Treatment Expectations of Previously Treated Patients With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Mutated Advanced Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer: A Qualitative Interview Study

BACKGROUND: Treatment effectiveness remains limited for patients with previously treated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Understanding patient unmet needs and treatment expectations can inform drug development decisions. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with n = 37 patients from the US, UK, Germany, Spain, and Italy who had locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC and had suffered from progressive disease while on osimertinib. Interview transcripts were analyzed following the content analysis technique. Participants also completed a questionnaire that included the EQ-5D-5 L and NSCLC-symptoms assessment questionnaire. RESULTS: All participants reported experiencing at least one respiratory symptom, such as fatigue or tiredness, with 97% reporting both. The most common impact on the participants' daily life activities was the incapacity to do any physical exertion (54%). All participants reported at least one emotional impact, most commonly mentioned as feeling scared/frightened or anxious/worried (62%), followed by feeling upset, unhappy, or depressed (57%). Improving quality of life was the most desired treatment outcome (76%), followed by slowing disease progression and remission (71% each). Most participants (81%) were willing to consider a new treatment despite the potential for side effects. From EQ-5D-5 L domains, "anxiety/depression" had the highest impact on participants' lives. The most severe symptoms based on NSCLC-symptoms assessment questionnaire were fatigue, pain, and dyspnea. CONCLUSION: Patients with previously treated EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC have significant symptom burden and emotional impacts of the disease. These patients would realistically expect a treatment that could improve their quality of life and delay the progression of their disease.