Real-world patient-reported outcomes and physician satisfaction with poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors versus chemotherapy in patients with germline BRCA1/2-mutated human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative advanced breast cancer from the United States, Europe, and Israel

BACKGROUND: In clinical trials, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) versus chemotherapy resulted in significantly improved progression-free survival, manageable adverse event profiles, and favorable patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HER2−) advanced breast cancer (ABC) and germline BRCA1/2 mutations (gBRCA1/2mut). The objective of this study was to evaluate PROs and physician satisfaction with treatment in patients with gBRCA1/2mut HER2− ABC receiving PARPi or physician’s choice of chemotherapy in a multi-country, real-world setting. METHODS: This retrospective analysis used data from the Adelphi Real World ABC Disease Specific Programmes in the United States, European Union, and Israel. PROs were assessed at a single timepoint using the EuroQol 5-Dimensions 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) scale, Cancer Therapy Satisfaction Questionnaire (CTSQ), and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the breast cancer−specific module (QLQ-BR23). Baseline PROs were not assessed. Physician satisfaction with treatment scores was dichotomized to a 0/1 variable (0 = very dissatisfied/dissatisfied/moderately satisfied; 1 = satisfied/very satisfied). Scores were compared using inverse-probability−weighted regression adjustment, controlling for multiple confounding factors. RESULTS: The study included 96 patients (PARPi, n = 38; platinum/non–platinum-based chemotherapy, n = 58). Patients receiving PARPi versus chemotherapy reported significantly better scores on the EQ-5D-5L Health Utility Index. On the EORTC QLQ-C30 functional scales, patients receiving PARPi reported significantly better scores (mean ± SE) for physical functioning (80.0 ± 2.4 vs 71.9 ± 3.4; p < 0.05) and social functioning (82.0 ± 6.2 vs 63.6 ± 3.7; p < 0.05) and, on the symptom scales, reported significantly better scores for constipation (1.9 ± 1.8 vs 18.7 ± 3.2; p < 0.001), breast symptoms (0.4 ± 3.9 vs 13.3 ± 2.6; p < 0.01), arm symptoms (2.6 ± 1.3 vs 11.4 ± 2.4; p = 0.001), and systemic therapy side effects (13.5 ± 1.8 vs 29.4 ± 2.3; p < 0.001). In contrast, patients receiving chemotherapy scored significantly better on the nausea/vomiting scale (18.3 ± 2.8 vs 34.5 ± 5.1; p < 0.01). Patients receiving PARPi reported numerically better satisfaction scores on the CTSQ scales. Physicians were more likely to be satisfied/very satisfied with PARPi versus chemotherapy (95.4% ± 7.3% vs 40.8% ± 6.2%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The PRO findings in this real-world population of patients with gBRCA1/2mut HER2− ABC complement those from the pivotal clinical trials, providing further support for treatment with PARPi in these patients. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-10325-9.