This analysis was done with the aim to study the overall impact of docetaxel and cabazitaxel treatment by using quality of life without toxicity or symptoms (QTWiST) analysis in head and neck cancer patients receiving second line treatment
OS (Overall survival) was partitioned in three health states for QTWiST analysis.TOX state was defined as the cumulative number of days spent in grade 3 or above toxicity post randomization and before progression.TWiST state was defined as the cumulative number of days spent post randomization and before progression without grade 3 or above toxicity. REL state was defined as the time spent in days post progression till death. A threshold utility analysis was performed. The difference in mean QTWiST scores with its 95% CI and corresponding p value between the 2 arms was calculated.
The restricted mean TOX state duration in cabazitaxel arm was 2.26 days (95%CI 1.12-3.40) versus 1.543 days (95% CI 0.56-2.53 days) in docetaxel arm. In threshold utility analysis the mean difference in QTWiST was in favour of docetaxel arm and ranged from -7.194 (utility for TOX to -35.96. For any combination of utility score of REL > 0, with any combination of utility score of TOX the difference in mean QTWiST between the 2 arms was greater than 14 days (ie > 10% of OS), in favour of docetaxel arm which is considered clinically meaningful.
Patient randomised to docetaxel arm have higher QTWiST score than patients in cabazitaxel arm and the differences are clinically meaningful in any combination of utility score of TOX with a utility score of REL > 0.
Tata Memorial Hospital
None
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.