Toward fit-for-purpose data for drug assessment in non-small cell lung cancer: the core dataset

Considering the high unmet medical need in people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the drug assessment for targeted therapies often rely on small populations and single-arm trials, challenging the evaluation by regulatory authorities, health technology assessment bodies (HTAb), and clinicians. Registry-based real-world data (RWD) can enhance the evaluation and appropriate use of these novel medicines. Therefore, we developed a core dataset that provides a starting point to complement the evaluation of NSCLC drug effects based on registry-based RWD. The core dataset was developed through a literature review of existing core datasets, followed by two multi-stakeholder expert meetings for better understanding of important variables for drug evaluation purposes by different stakeholders. The experts included Dutch clinicians, hospital pharmacists, regulators, HTAb, industry representatives, academics, and a patient representative. Following the literature review, four existing core datasets were identified and used to extract important variables. After two expert meetings, this core dataset was redefined and the final core dataset includes general patient characteristics (n?=?6), disease-specific factors (n?=?19), treatment details, including systemic therapy, surgery, and radiotherapy (n?=?22), outcomes such as death, progression, response (n?=?9), and patient-reported outcome measures (n?=?17). This core dataset contains relevant variables that provides guidance for the collection of RWD to develop a relevant patient registry for NSCLC and to enhance its fitness-for-purpose. These RWD are intended to address most regulatory, HTA, and healthcare professionals' questions, thereby supporting the generation of real-world evidence for the more appropriate use of NSCLC drugs.

Aim

This core dataset contains relevant variables that provides guidance for the collection of real-world data (RWD) to develop a relevant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient registry and to enhance its fitness-for-purpose data. These RWD are intended to address most regulatory, health technology assessment (HTA), and healthcare questions, thereby supporting the generation of real-world evidence for the more appropriate use of NSCLC drugs.

Potentially relevant COS
Existing COS intended to assess the value of lung cancer drugs to support the structured collection of these data in clinical practice were searched in the COMET database. No COS were found that fully met our scope, nevertheless, two relevant lung cancer COS were included in our study to serve as the foundation of our core dataset. The aim of our core dataset differs from these two COS, since they focus on value-based healthcare across the entire treatment pathway (e.g. diagnostics, time to first treatment) for lung cancer patients, while we focus on drug assessment in NSCLC using registry based RWD.
1) K.S. Mak, et al. Defining a standard set of patient-centred outcomes for lung cancer, European Respiratory Journal 48 (2016) 852–860.
2) B.H. de Rooij, et al. Development of an updated, standardized, patient-centered outcome set for lung cancer, Lung Cancer 173 (2022) 5–13.

Contributors

Geeske F Grit, Maaike van Dartel, Laura Rodwell, Hanneke van der Woude, Cornelis Boersma, Peter GM Mol, Doranne Hilarius

Publication

Journal: Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Volume:
Issue:
Pages: -
Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cpt.70473

Further Study Information

Current Stage: Completed
Date: December 2023 - 2025
Funding source(s): This study is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions under grant no. 101095479 (More-EUROPA). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union nor the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.


Health Area

Disease Category: Cancer

Disease Name: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Target Population

Age Range: 18 - 120

Sex: Either

Nature of Intervention: Drug

Stakeholders Involved

- Clinical experts
- Patient/ support group representatives
- Pharmaceutical industry representatives
- Policy makers
- Regulatory agency representatives
- Researchers

Study Type

- COS for registry

Method(s)

- Literature review
- Semi structured discussion

The core dataset was developed through a literature review of existing core datasets, followed by two multi-stakeholder expert meetings to provide input for better understanding of important variables.

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