Grant: Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Canada. Clinical trials have shown that immunotherapies (Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab, Atezolizumab and Durvalumab) are effective at suppressing tumour growth, leading to improved function, symptom control and increasing survival among patients with NSCLC. However, side effects (i.e. toxicity profile) associated with these agents require evaluation. The aim of this study is to 1) evaluate toxicity-associated health care use of immunotherapy for advanced NSCLC, 2.) measure patient reported outcomes associated with immunotherapy (e.g. end-of-life quality of care, receipt and timing of palliative care, and overall survival and to 3.) quantify the impact of immunotherapy toxicity and immunotherapy outcomes on economics by measuring cost-effectiveness effectiveness of immunotherapy in a population-based retrospective cohort study of all NSCLC patients who received immunotherapy in Ontario, Canada from 2016 (approval date) to present using IC/ES data holdings. Findings from this work will inform this emerging field, have substantial practice and policy implications and form a platform for further inquiry.