Quality of Life and Patient-Reported Outcomes in ROS1-Positive NSCLC

Ticiana Leal, MD, argues that trials need more patient-reported outcomes and quality of life measures, since patients with ROS1-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer now stay on oral therapy for years and the effect on daily life is poorly captured. Martin Dietrich, MD, PhD, says cancer control itself contributes most of the quality of life benefit, and describes an arc in which close early monitoring settles the right dose and supportive care before visits become less frequent; he expects patient-reported outcomes to confirm that pattern. Wade Iams, MD, describes the harder conversation, which happens before molecular results return, when he explains targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy to a patient who may not have a driver alteration.