Feasibility of evaluating AI-enabled digital symptom monitoring in metastatic patients with NSCLC receiving pembrolizumab therapy: A German single-arm observational pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: Close symptom monitoring can benefit patients with metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) receiving first-line therapy. Remote patient monitoring technologies, like the artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled Kaiku^® Health platform that allows oncology patients to report their health status in real-time to healthcare providers, may enhance patients' treatment experience.

Methodology: The lung artificial intelligence-enabled digital solution pilot study ("Lung AID") assessed the feasibility of future studies on Kaiku^® Health in patients with mNSCLC receiving first-line pembrolizumab in Germany. Patient engagement with Kaiku^® Health and practicality of collecting patient-reported outcomes (PROs) via the separate Lung AID EDC system were assessed by platform access rates. Kaiku^® Health access required one login, while Lung AID EDC access required submission of ≥1 PRO questionnaire. Post hoc analyses explored access by site experience with Kaiku^® Health.

Results: Over a 17-month enrollment period, 47 of 100 planned patients were enrolled in the study. Kaiku^® Health was accessed by 85.1% of patients, with higher engagement at experienced sites (96.2%). Only 38.3% accessed the Lung AID EDC system; 31.9% used both systems.

Discussion: High Kaiku^® Health access rates imply patient interest in remote digital monitoring for mNSCLC. However, recruitment challenges and use of a separate system to collect PRO data demonstrated difficulties in assessing the feasibility of these technologies in real-world settings. Our results highlight the need for streamlined patient monitoring tools and enhanced site and patient engagement strategies.

Conclusion: While definitive conclusions on future studies cannot be drawn, the study offers key insights into challenges that should be considered in future research.

Keywords: AI; NSCLC; PRO; pembrolizumab; real-world; remote symptom monitoring.