Risk factors for cognitive impairment in radically treated stage III NSCLC : Secondary findings of the NVALT-11 study

H.Y. Zeng*, L.E.L. Hendriks, W.J.A. Witlox, H.J.M. Groen, A.M.C. Dingemans, J. Praag, J. Belderbos, R. Houben, V. van der Noort, D.K.M. De Ruysscher

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Aim: To identify risk factors for self-reported cognitive impairment in radically treated stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Cognitive functioning was assessed using the EORTC-QLQ-C30 at seven pre-specified time points in the phase III NVALT-11 trial (observation versus prophylactic cranial irradiation [PCI] in stage III NSCLC treated with chemo-radiotherapy +/- surgery). Cognition was analyzed as binary (impairment or not) and continuous outcome, respectively, using generalized estimating equation (GEE) before and after multiple imputation. A score < 75 was defined as cognitive impairment. A mean difference by < 10, 10-<20, >= 20 points was regarded as of no, moderate, and large clinical effect, respectively. We categorized the cognitive impairment into four types based on changes over time: sustained, rever-sible, recurring, and alternating. Results: In the no-PCI arm, 43/84 [51.2%] reported cognitive impairment at least once, of which 31.4% were sustained, 25.7% reversible, 28.6% recurring, and 14.3% alternating. Results were similar in the PCI arm. Cognitive functioning at baseline was comparable in two arms and a score < 75 was a significant risk factor with large effect for subsequent cognitive impairment (no-PCI: p = -23.30, p < 0.001; PCI arm: p = -22.34, p < 0.001; All: p = -23.47, p < 0.001). Younger age (<60y), squamous histology, and PCI were risk factors without clinical relevance (p >-10, p < 0.05). Cognitive functioning declined over time (p = -0.26, p = 0.001) except for patients with cognitive impairment at baseline (p = 0.141, p = 0.33). Conclusion: Cognitive impairment is dynamic over time with four types. Baseline cognitive impairment (score < 75) is the most important risk factor for subsequent cognitive impairment in stage III NSCLC. Note: This work has been partly reported as an oral presentation at the ESTRO 2021 meeting (OC-0176). (c) 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Radiotherapy and Oncology xxx (2023) xxx-xxx
Original languageEnglish
Article number109627
Number of pages10
JournalRadiotherapy and Oncology
Volume183
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2023

Keywords

  • Cognitive impairment
  • Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
  • Multi-modality treatment
  • Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy
  • Multiple imputation-generalized estimating
  • equation (MI-GEE)
  • PROPHYLACTIC CRANIAL IRRADIATION
  • QUALITY-OF-LIFE
  • WHOLE-BRAIN RADIOTHERAPY
  • RTOG 0212
  • ONCOLOGY
  • TRIAL
  • MEMANTINE
  • DECLINE
  • IMPACT

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