Patient Experiences With Avelumab Vs Chemotherapy For Treating Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Results From Protocol-Specified Qualitative Research.

e21065Background: Avelumab is a fully human anti–PD-L1 monoclonal antibody that has shown durable responses and a manageable safety profile in patients (pts) with various tumors, including metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (mMCC). We report findings from qualitative interviews with mMCC pts about their experiences with avelumab or chemotherapy. Methods: Pts with mMCC who progressed after chemotherapy were enrolled in a registrational, single-arm, multicenter, international phase 2 trial (NCT02155647). Protocol-specified semi-structured phone interviews were conducted at baseline (to document experiences with chemotherapy) and during avelumab treatment at Weeks 13 and 25. Interview transcripts were analyzed qualitatively using a thematic approach. Results: Interviews were conducted with 19 pts at baseline and 10 pts at Weeks 13 and 25. At baseline, most pts (n = 12) reported that chemotherapy was initially successful prior to relapse. At Week 13, pts generally were “optimistic,” but “cautious,” and had “hig...