Assessment of the impact of comprehensive rehabilitation on the quality of life in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving immunotherapy and having recovered from severe COVID-19

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 85 % of all cases. Modern approaches to treating NSCLC include the use of immuno-oncology drugs, which have become a breakthrough in oncology. After experiencing a severe form of COVID-19, patients may continue to experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, weakness, and fatigue, which can affect the efficacy and tolerability of anticancer therapy. Comprehensive rehabilitation can significantly improve the quality of life for such patients. Objective: Assessing the impact of comprehensive rehabilitation on the efficacy and tolerability of immunotherapy in NSCLC patients after severe COVID-19 Materia and Methods: The study included 33 NSCLC patients divided into a main group (n=18) and a control group (n=15). The main group underwent comprehensive rehabilitation, including nutritional support, therapeutic physical exercises, and respiratory gymnastics. Efficacy was assessed according to RECIST 1.1 criteria, and the tolerability of immunotherapy was evaluated based on CTCAE 5.0 toxicity criteria. Results: The main group demonstrated an increase in the number of partial responses; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Comparable rates of disease stabilization and progression were observed between groups. Patients in the main group experienced significantly less fatigue and weight loss. Conclusion: Comprehensive rehabilitation helps reduce the frequency of adverse events during immunotherapy and can be considered an important component of a personalized treatment approach for this patient category. No significant differences in immunotherapy efficacy were found with comprehensive rehabilitation.