Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Receiving Immunotherapy

The effect of an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program on the quality of life, performance and tumor growth of metastatic lung cancer patients receiving ongoing immunotherapy will be investigated. Comparable data on rehabilitation under ongoing immunotherapy are almost non-existent in a prospective setting. In addition, all patients with metastatic lung cancer could benefit from the study results if the benefit of outpatient rehabilitation can be proven in this patient population. Patients will be randomized into two treatment arms and will be allocated due to randomization process. Both arms will receive standard-of care oncologic therapy according to national and international guidelines. In addition, one arm will receive 6 weeks of a standardized OPR (intervention group). Patients who were randomized into the intervention group will be referred to one of the rehabilitation centers (Therme Wien Med or Klinik Pirawarth in Vienna) regarding of patients choice. The OPR is performed identical at both rehabilitation centers and according to Austrian guidelines (consistency was reassured by both heads of institutes). Before the intervention (T0-baseline, week 0) patients will perform a 6-minute walking test (6MWT) (primary endpoint) together with additional secondary objective measurements (see section secondary endpoints or graphical overview). A follow-up will be performed after completion of OPR (T1, week 6) and every 9 weeks thereafter for the first 52 weeks (T1, FUP-T2, FUP-T3, FUP-T4-T6). After 52 weeks (FUP-T≥7) the intervals for follow-up visits is determined by the treating physician. The end of study is reached if patient shows tumor progression (according to RECIST 1.1 criteria) after FUP-T3 (week 24) or - if patients has experienced tumor progression before FUP-T3 - after FUP-T3 (week 24).