Health-related quality of life (HRQL) in VERTU: A randomized phase II trial of veliparib (V), radiotherapy (RT), and temozolomide (TMZ) for newly diagnosed MGMT unmethylated (uMGMT) glioblastoma (GBM).

Abstract

2042 Background: The VERTU trial (ANZCTR #ACTRN12615000407594) compared Arm A (standard of care) = RT (60Gy/30 fractions) + TMZ (75mg/m2 daily) followed by TMZ (150–200mg/m2 D1–5) every 28 days for 6 cycles vs Arm B (experimental arm) = RT (60Gy/30 fractions) + V (200mg PO BID) followed by TMZ (150–200mg/m2 D1–5) + V (40mg PO BID, D1–7) every 28 days for 6 cycles in pts with newly diagnosed centrally determined uMGMT GBM. To ensure that veliparib was not associated with clinical detriment, serial HRQL assessments were performed for comparison as a secondary objective. Methods: Pts completed the EORTC quality of life core questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and brain cancer module (BN20) every 4 weeks (w) (baseline: w0; concurrent: w4,8; adjuvant: w10,14,18,22,26,30). Based on relevance to GBM patients, 5 HRQL scales (global health [GH], physical functioning [PF], social functioning [SF], motor dysfunction [MD] and communication deficit [CD]) were pre-selected for primary analysis. Maximum change from baseline score (clinically relevant deterioration/improvement defined as ≥10-point change) during the progression-free period, and deterioration-free survival (time to deterioration/progression/death) were evaluated. Results: Patient characteristics were well-matched (Arm A: N = 41, median age = 62, male = 68%, ECOG 0 = 66%, macroscopic resection = 88%; Arm B: N = 84, median age = 60, male = 70%, ECOG 0 = 65%, macroscopic resection = 86%). Almost all completed at least one HRQL assessment (98%). HRQL assessments during the progression-free period were completed in 87% (Arm A) and 90% (Arm B) of cases. For Arm A vs B, the proportion of patients who experienced a deterioration in GH (59% vs 64%, p = 0.69), PF (53% vs 53%, p > 0.99), SF (46% vs 53%, p = 0.56), MD (63% vs 58%, p = 0.70) and CD (45% vs 46%, p > 0.99) were similar. Deterioration-free survival was not statistically different for any HRQL item. Conclusions: The addition of veliparib to standard of care for newly diagnosed uMGMT GBM does not appear to compromise HRQL. This would support the primary efficacy analysis of the VERTU trial. Clinical trial information: ACTRN12615000407594.