Unmet needs and treatment perspectives of patients (pts) with previously treated small cell lung cancer (SCLC): A global, qualitative interview study.

574 Background: Current treatment options for SCLC are limited by modest efficacy and/or suboptimal safety profiles, leaving a need for therapies with improved clinical and quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes. This study’s aims were to understand patient experiences, burden of SCLC, and treatment expectations. Methods: Pts with extensive-stage (ES) SCLC receiving treatment in second line (2L) or beyond completed an online one-to-one interview and brief online survey between Nov 2024 and Mar 2025. The number of pts reporting disease impacts, symptoms, and treatment-related burden were recorded. Pts selected the 3 most bothersome symptoms/impacts and scored each on a scale of 0 (does not bother at all)–10 (extremely bothersome). Pts ranked expected treatment outcomes by importance. Interviews were qualitatively coded and analyzed using ATLAS.ti software. Results: Among 30 pts (median age, 59 yrs; 50% male; 77% ECOG PS 0–1), 10 were from the US, 8 from Japan, and 2 each from South Korea, Taiwan, China, Singapore, Italy, and Brazil; 21 pts received 2L, 9 pts third-line therapy and beyond. With all treatment lines considered together, chemotherapy was the most common self-reported treatment, followed by immunotherapy. Almost all pts reported emotional (93%), physical (93%), and social (87%) impacts of the disease on their daily lives; the most frequent are in the table. The most bothersome impacts were reduced participation in leisure activities and hobbies (social), reduced interaction with others (social), and increased anxiety or stress (emotional). The most bothersome symptoms were shortness of breath (SOB), fatigue or tiredness, and cough (Table). Burden related to treatment administration was reported by 67% pts (most 63% associated this with time spent in clinic); 23% reported a treatment-related financial burden. Improving overall and progression-free survival were the most important expected treatment outcomes, followed by overall response rate, fewer side effects, remission, and improved symptoms and QOL. Conclusions: This qualitative study highlights the extensive emotional and physical burden ES-SCLC places on pts. The most bothersome symptoms were SOB, fatigue or tiredness, and cough, with a broad negative impact on QOL across social, emotional, and physical domains. Pts reported efficacy, side effects, symptoms, and QOL to be the most important when considering hypothetical treatment outcomes. Overall frequency/reported among top 3 most bothersome, % / % (N=30) Disease impact on daily life Reduced interaction with others (social) 80 / 30 Reduced participation in leisure activities and/or hobbies (social) 73 / 20 Reduced ability to exercise (physical) 63 / 17 Anxiety or stress (emotional) 60 / 20 Reduced ability to perform household chores and errands (physical) 60 / 10 Symptom SOB 90 / 53 Fatigue or tiredness 83 / 63 Cough 73 / 47 Chest pain 53 / 20