Quality of Life and Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) in Chronic GVHD

This is a video synopsis of a discussion involving Dr Yi-Bin Chen, Director of the Transplant and Cell Therapy Program at Massachusetts General Hospital and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School; Dr Corey Cutler, Director of the Stem Cell Transplant Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School; Dr Mitchell Horwitz, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Adult Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Duke University, and Dr Hannah Choe, Assistant Professor and Director of the Graft-versus-Host-Disease (GVHD) program at Ohio State University.

The panel delves into the crucial topic of quality of life (QoL) for long-term survivors post-transplant, particularly focusing on the impact of chronic GVHD.

Dr Chen initiates the discussion by emphasizing the significance of chronic GVHD in determining patients' QoL based on longitudinal studies, especially the seminal work by Dr Stephanie Lee. He notes that while age influences symptom burden, expectations play a crucial role in shaping the QoL experience for older patients compared to younger counterparts.

The conversation shifts to the incorporation of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in chronic GVHD trials, with Dr Cutler highlighting the FDA's recognition of PROs as important endpoints. He stresses the need to use PROs to assess treatment utility and response, acknowledging the challenges in implementing them.

Dr Chen inquires about the inclusion of PROs and how they have evolved in the context of chronic GVHD trials. Dr Cutler responds, emphasizing the importance of asking patients about their experiences to truly understand the impact of interventions. He sees PROs becoming primary or co-primary endpoints in certain scenarios, particularly in conditions like eye diseases where patients' subjective experiences play a crucial role.

Dr Horwitz adds complexity to the discussion, noting variations in patients' perceptions and tolerances of disability. Dr Choe shares her challenges in implementing PROs in a real-world clinical setting, emphasizing the difficulties in managing additional staff requirements and compliance issues.

In conclusion, the panelists highlight the potential for PROs to become primary endpoints in certain targeted therapies or scenarios, provided the right patient population and study design. This discussion sheds light on the evolving landscape of assessing and improving QoL in chronic GVHD patients.

Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by OncLive® editorial staff.