Health-related quality of life, psychosocial outcome and neurocognitive function in metastatic cancer survivors treated with immunotherapy, followed by integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy

The recent advancements in immunotherapy (IT) of the last 12 years
led to a growing population of long-term metastatic cancer survivors.
For the first time in history, patients with metastatic disease become
and remain disease-free and this after stopping treatment. To date
not much is known about health-related quality of life (HRQOL),
psychosocial outcome and neurocognitive function in this new patient
population. Our previous preliminary study results revealed that
metastatic melanoma survivors suffer from diminished HRQoL,
emotional and cognitive problems. Timely detection and tailored care
with a focus on psychosocial and neurocognitive function were
identified as important care needs. The aim for this study is twofold.
Firstly, we aim to investigate more in detail the following survivorshiprelated issues in metastatic cancer survivors: (1) Psychosocial
outcome (2) neurocognitive function and (3) HRQoL. Secondly, we
aim to assess the efficacy of an Integrative Neurocognitive
Remediation Therapy (INCRT) program. This INCRT consists of
personalized computerized cognitive training and neurocognitive
strategy training, with group sessions of adapted physiotherapy and
cognitive behavioral therapy, addressing fear of cancer recurrence,
coping difficulties, fatigue and self-esteem. This study will lead to
fundamentally new insights in neurocognitive and psychosocial
issues, and to the best-evidence care for metastatic cancer survivors
in this rapidly evolving field of IT