The first analysis of the BISON-PRO Quality of Life Study was presented at the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting.
Dr. Vinny Pizzuti, an internal medicine resident physician at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, presented a poster abstract (shown below; PDF of the poster available online) in which we analyzed quality of life data collected over the first 6 months of the BISON-PRO Quality of Life Study.
What we did:
From May 2023 to June 2024, 65 patients had joined the BISON-PRO study. Surveys were sent to patients at baseline time of enrollment and then 3 months and 6 months after enrollment. Surveys asked about fatigue, anxiety, pain, sleep, physical health, and daily functioning.
Patients in the study were included in one of three groups:
- Active surveillance (“watch and wait,” no treatment yet)
- Cellular therapies (like stem cell transplant and CAR T-cell therapy)
- Active treatment (systemic chemotherapy or radiation therapy)
What we learned:
- At baseline, patients on active surveillance reported better quality of life than those needing treatment.
- Patients with lymphoma on active treatment had a significant improvement in quality of life at 6 months, especially less fatigue, less anxiety, better sleep, improved pain, and better physical health and social wellbeing.
- However, patients with CLL/SLL on active treatment did not experience any change in quality of life at 6 months.
- Patients receiving active treatment showed a drop in memory and thinking capabilities (cognitive function) at 6 months.
- In addition, most patients found the BISON-PRO surveys easy to complete and useful, showing that this approach works for collecting real-world quality of life experiences.
Why this matters:
These early results from the BISON-PRO Quality of Life Study show that many patients do feel better after starting treatment for lymphoma, although some symptom areas, like thinking and memory, may worsen after treatment. In addition, there are differences in how quality of life changes between lymphoma and CLL/SLL. Tracking these quality of life changes over time will give oncologists and cancer clinicians a clearer picture of what to expect, guide supportive care, and prepare patients for life during and after treatment.
Next steps:
The BISON-PRO Study is still growing and will continue to expand across Colorado. Larger patient numbers and longer follow-up will allow us to better predict short- and long-term quality of life changes and understand which groups of patients may need extra support. In addition, we are enrolling patients with other types of blood cancers who are undergoing cellular therapies.
If you have any questions or comments about the above, or any suggestions about the BISON-PRO Quality of Life Study, please email us.
Thank you again for your support and your collaboration.