Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to worldwide disruptions in healthcare. This study aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 on 1L treatment and management of patients (pts) with EGFR-WT and ALK-WT mNSCLC.
Methods
Real-world data were collected via the Adelphi NSCLC Disease Specific Programme™ oversample; a retrospective survey administered to 252 oncologists/pulmonologists between May and August 2021 across Europe; France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK (Eu5). Each physician gave information on 5 pts diagnosed (Dx) with EGFR-WT mNSCLC between September 2019 to March 2020 (pre-COVID) and 5 pts Dx between March 2020 to August 2021 (during COVID). ALK-mutated pts were excluded from analysis.
Results
Pts mean age was 66.4 years in both cohorts and the majority were male (67.6% pre-COVID and 66.0% during COVID). A higher proportion of pts Dx during COVID were stage IVB (46.2%) than pre-COVID (37.6%). Effects of COVID on pt management were more frequently reported in the UK (79.7%) and least reported in Germany (19.6%). UK physicians changed prescribed treatment for 9.5% of pts due to COVID compared to 0.4% in Germany. The most commonly reported impact was moving to video/telephone consultations (20.0% Eu5) ranging from 0.4% (Germany) to 63.4% (UK), followed by reduced frequency of consultations (14.9% Eu5) ranging from 8.1% (France) to 22.2% (UK). Few effects of COVID-19 were reported for frequency of testing and monitoring of treatment. The proportion of pts prescribed 1L immunotherapy (IO) monotherapy and IO combination was higher in those Dx during COVID (30.1% and 34.0%, respectively) than pre-COVID (26.4% and 21.4% respectively).
Conclusions
According to current real-world data, COVID appeared to have greater impact on management of pts with EGFR-WT and ALK-WT mNSCLC in the UK than in Eu4. Pts Dx during COVID were Dx at a later stage and more commonly received 1L IO-based therapies than those Dx pre-COVID. Although greater IO usage could be a result of an evolving treatment landscape, prescribed treatment had been changed for a small proportion of pts due to COVID. Further research is warranted to evaluate the impact these changes may have on pt outcomes.
Legal entity responsible for the study
Adelphi Real World Adelphi Mill Grimshaw Lane Cheshire United Kindom SK105JB.
Funding
Bristol Myers Squibb.
Disclosure
A. Lee: Other, Personal and Institutional, Full or part-time Employment, Employed by Bristol Myers Squibb: Bristol Myers Squibb. L. Eccles: Other, Personal and Institutional, Full or part-time Employment, Employed by Bristol Myers Squibb: Bristol Myers Squibb. Y. Yuan: Other, Personal and Institutional, Full or part-time Employment, Employed by Bristol Myers Squibb: Bristol Myers Squibb. N. Varol: Other, Personal and Institutional, Full or part-time Employment, Employed by Bristol Myers Squibb: Bristol Myers Squibb. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.