OBJECTIVES

To compare EQ-5D-5L utility values in patients with melanoma in the real-world setting collected using a digital real-world evidence app versus literature values, and to identify key determinants of utility.

METHODS

Patients used a digital bring your own device (BYOD) app to record previous and current treatments, lifestyle, demographics, ECOG performance status (PS), location of treatment and residence, symptoms and adverse events, and to complete the EQ-5D-5L. Patients with any stage or type of melanoma are being recruited in the UK in collaboration with the patient advocacy group Melanoma UK. Informed consent is obtained via the app, and ethics approval has been obtained. Participants are asked to complete the EQ-5D-5L at least monthly. Utilities are calculated using the EuroQol algorithm for UK patients. Real-world utilities in melanoma and modalities of data capture were identified through a scoping literature review.

RESULTS

Utility scores decreased with disease progression. Melanoma had the greatest effect on pain/discomfort but compromised all five domains of the EQ-5D. Significant links between utility and ECOG PS, as well as current and previous treatments, were identified. The BYOD app provided clear benefits in terms of the frequency of data recording (patients opted to complete surveys more often than the requisite monthly) and completion rates, providing high-quality data. Furthermore, utility estimates were generated for all stages of melanoma, whereas literature values are largely reported for stages 3 and 4.

CONCLUSIONS

As melanoma treatment continues to evolve, utility values recorded in the real-world setting in close to real-time will offer important insight to drug developers, HTA agencies, clinicians and patients. The richness of the information in the digital registry will enable exploration of the impact of a wide range of parameters that are not well documented in literature.