12084 Background: We examined symptom interference with activity- and mood-related functioning at baseline in early-stage trials of combination treatments that included at least one immune checkpoint inhibitor, and its association with quality of life (QOL)-, clinical-, and trial-related factors. Methods: Patients scheduled to begin an early-phase trial of a combination treatment with immune checkpoint blockade, and who had not received trial-related treatment were recruited into a prospective longitudinal study design (NCI R01CA242565), and completed the following validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures prior to trial start: MD Anderson Symptom Inventory- Immunotherapy (score range: 0-10, higher scores = worse symptom interference); NCI’s PRO Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (0-4, higher = worse severity); EuroQoL-5 dimensions assessing health status (0-100, higher = better health) and problems with self-care, and the Sloan Global QOL scale (0-10, higher = better QOL). Statistical tests included Spearman’s correlation rho (r) and multivariable linear regression. Results: 977 baseline PRO measures were completed by 247 patients (median age = 59 y; 46% female). Worst symptom-related interference was with activity (3.0 on a 0-10 scale), work (2.9), and enjoyment of life (2.4). Composite score means were 2.8 for symptom interference with walking, activity, and work (WAW; activity-related functioning), and 2.1 for interference with relationships, enjoyment of life, and mood (REM; mood-related functioning). Symptoms most associated with worse WAW were fatigue (P<0.001) and appetite loss (P=0.001). Worse WAW was linked to worse REM (r=0.78, P<0.001). Diminished sexual interest/mood (DSI) was associated with worse WAW (r=0.35, P<0.001) and REM (r=0.33, P<0.001). Worse WAW was linked to shorter trial duration (P=0.003) and worse response (progression of disease/immune-related progression) on the clinical trial (P=0.05). Conclusions: This first, comprehensive and prospective examination of symptom interference with functioning at trial baseline found that worse symptom interference was linked to worse QOL, poorer clinical outcomes, and shorter trial duration. These findings suggest that baseline patient-reported symptom interference with functioning can serve as a potential biomarker of poor prognosis in investigational trials, and that trial patients may benefit from initiation of supportive care prior to trial start. [Table: see text]