Observing patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): An overview of real world treatments and outcomes in Europe
7626 Background: ACTION (Assessment of Costs and ouTcomes of chemotherapy In an Observational setting in patients with advanced NSCLC) is a prospective, pan-European observational study. The objective of ACTION is to describe advanced NSCLC treatment in routine clinical practice. Methods: Chemonaive patients (pts) aged = 18 yrs with stage IIIb/IV NSCLC were observed for 18 months from presentation for initiation of chemotherapy (CT). All pt care, including CT given, was at the discretion of the pt/physician. Pts were excluded if participating in a clinical trial. Results: 975 pts [Germany (571), UK (193), Finland (99), Netherlands (76), Portugal (36)] were enrolled from April 2003 to September 2004 and observations completed June 2006. Median age was 65 yrs (32–90) with 28.3% of pts aged =70 yrs; 71.3% were male; 65.2% had stage IV disease. WHO performance status (PS) was 0/1 (86.2%), 2 (10.0%), 3/4 (3.8%). Of 487 pts who experienced weight loss, 172 (33.4%) lost >10% body weight in 4 weeks prior to start of CT. First-line CT given: gemcitabine (gem) 10.3%, vinorelbine (vin) 4.3%, gem+platinum 45.0%, vin+platinum 14.6%, taxane+platinum 11.7%, other 14.2%. Complete response (CR) to first-line CT was observed in 1.8% of pts, partial response (PR) 37.9%, stable disease (SD) 28.5%, progressive disease (PD) 17.8%, unknown 13.8%. Second-line CT was planned for 29.2% (285) pts. Median time from initiation of 1st-line to initiation of 2nd-line CT was 5.8 months. Median age was 62 yrs (32–84); 69.8% were male; WHO PS at initiation of 2nd line CT: 0/1 (79%), 2 (17%), 3/4 (4%). Best response to 2nd-line CT: CR 0.4%, PR 9.1%, SD 19.3%, PD 48.8%, unknown 14.3%. Unadjusted median survival time for all pts: 9.3 months (95% CI 8.6–10.3). Overall estimated 1-yr survival was 39.5%. Conclusions: ACTION was the first large-scale observational study in pts with advanced NSCLC in Europe. Overall response rates and survival were consistent with clinical trial results, even though approximately one- third of pts enrolled may have been excluded from clinical trials on the basis of their baseline demographics. No significant financial relationships to disclose.