The experimental Cohort A (male ALK+ ANSCLC patients receiving alectinib), the control Cohort B (female ALK+ ANSCLC patients receiving alectinib) and control Cohort C (male NON-ALK ANSCLC patients) were prospectively evaluated for full hormone assessment of androgen deficiency, AT 8 weeks after treatment start and in case of reported suspected symptoms. Patients with major sexual dysfunctions were referred to endocrinologist.
Male patients (Cohorts A-C). After 8 weeks from treatment start (T1), as the same time of initial endocrine evaluation, we assessed symptoms of androgen deficiency by using the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males (ADAM) questionnaire (Supplementary, SD1), a validated screening assessment of hypogonadism in adult males \[15\]. Next, the questionnaire was collected every 12 weeks during the routine clinic visits up to three years (if considered clinically appropriated). The response to the questionnaire was considered consistent with possible hypogonadism (i.e. positive), if the patient reported at least one major symptom (loss of libido and/or impotence; questions 1 and 7) or at least three minor symptoms. In case of suspected hypogonadism at ADAM questionnaire, hormonal tests were again performed and the patient was referred to Andrology Unit of the Endocrinology Departement in case of abnormal results. Andrology visit included physical examination, testicular and scrotum ultrasound, medical history and hormonal tests reviewing; when testosterone replacement and/or drugs for erectile dysfunction were prescribed, the overall effectiveness on symptoms of hypogonadism (improved/not improved) was assessed by the andrologist and checked at next oncologic visits. Female patients (Cohort B). After 8 weeks from treatment start (T1), as the same time of initial endocrine assessment, we assessed symptoms of sexual dysfunctions, according to menopausal status, by using the EORTC QLQ - BR23 and FACT-B (Version 4) questionnaires. In case of clinically significant gynaecological symptoms and/or abnormal results of sexual hormones axis in relation to menopausal status, the patients were referred to multidisciplinary evaluation by an endocrinologist and a gynaecologist. Multidisciplinary evaluation included physical and gynaecological examination, pelvic ultrasound, medical history and hormonal tests reviewing; diagnosis and treatment of endocrine/gynaecological dysfunction and prescribed treatment/intervention were reported in medical history and checked at next oncologic visits
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
98
First line treatment for cohorts A and B
Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS
Rome, Italy
Incidence of endocrine toxicity in overall ALK-positive
Percentege of endocrine alterations among patients included in Cohort A and B
Time frame: Time from treatment start until the date of first documented progression or date of death from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 3 years
Incidence of symptomatic hypogonadism in male ANSCLC patients
Percentage of endocrine alterations and/or clinical sexual dysfuctions among male patients included in Cohort A and C
Time frame: Time from treatment start until the date of first documented progression or date of death from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 3 years
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