Oncology

An estimated 75% of all oncology patients experience cognitive impairment. Changes in memory, executive function, attention, and processing speed occur across cancer types, making cognition important for research teams to consider when developing therapeutics for adults and children.

Cogstate helps sponsors better evaluate cognitive impairment by providing sensitive, rapid, and reliable computerized digital cognitive assessments alongside patient reported outcomes in collaboration with leading eCOA vendor partners.

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Improve Strategic Study Design

The Cogstate team of cognitive scientists and statisticians have the expertise to advise your team on vital study considerations, help you answer key drug development questions, and reduce risk and uncertainty in your trial.

With access to thousands of cognitive data profiles—and from decades supporting drug development work—Cogstate can advise your team on endpoint selection, powering decisions, and interpretation of study results supportive of product efficacy, safety, and differentiating claims.


Types of Cancer Tested Include: 

Acute lymphocytic leukemia, Acute Myeloid/Myelogenous, Brain metastases, Breast, Glioblastoma, Melanoma, Multiple Myeloma, Multiple solid tumors, Pancreatic, Prostate, Small and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, and various pediatric indications. 

Leverage Sensitive and Reliable Digital Tests

Cogstate digital assessments are sensitive to changes in pediatric and adult oncology patients and designed and validated to assess specific domains affected by cancer. They have been used across a range of treatments including radiation and chemotherapy and used in all phases of drug trials. Tests are culture- and education-neutral and designed for repeated administration with minimal practice or learning effects, making them ideal for use in global clinical trials.

The use of appropriately sensitive and domain specific cognitive assessments is important to the measurement of relevant changes in cognition in studies of oncology. Neurologic exams and global instruments such as the MMSE are recognized as deficient in this respect. (J. Wefel, MD Anderson Cancer Center)

More on Digital Assessments

Sample Oncology Battery

The tests included are a sample battery based on domains commonly impacted by cancer. Final battery recommendations vary based on study needs.

Cogstate Tests - Adult:• Detection (Psychomotor Function)
• Identification (Attention)
• International Shopping List (Verbal Learning)
• One Back (Working Memory)
Cogstate Tests - Pediatric:Detection Test
Identification Test
One Card Learning
One Back Test
Groton Maze Learning Test
Length:Approx. 20 minutes
Administration:Standardized
Data Processing and Scoring:Automated
Application:Phase I-IV
Culture and Language Neutral:Yes

Case Examples of Cogstate Oncology Solutions in Action

Demonstrating Cognitive Safety of CAR T-Cell Therapy

A phase 1 dose-escalation trial enrolled children and young adults with B-cell malignancies, with the primary objective of evaluating toxicity and dose-finding for a novel dual-antigen CAR T-cell therapy. Five Cogstate digital tests were selected for the study. Results demonstrated the cognitive safety of CAR T-cell therapy in this population. Researchers gathered conclusive data and found Cogstate assessments easy to administer and feasible to use in this patient population. (Shalabi, et al, https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2022015795 ) (YouTube Summary)

Measuring Neurocognitive Effects of Oncology Treatments in Pediatrics

A multi-national consortium on childhood cancers required cognitive assessments to better understand the effects of those cancers on brain health and brain development. In previous trials there had been high rates of missing data. Cogstate provided digital cognitive assessments for a large trial in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. More than 86% of patients successfully completed the Cogstate battery, a number substantially greater than those obtained in previous trials with paper and pencil assessments. In addition, the study team noted higher patient satisfaction with the testing. (Hardy et al, INS, 2014) (YouTube Summary)

Improve Collection of Patient Reported Outcomes in Oncology

Cogstate works with leading eCOA partners to support the measurement of Patient Report Outcomes (PROs) in oncology trials. Combining these assessments with our computerized tests on a single device and operational workflow, we provide a streamlined experience for patients and sites, and a holistic view of patient functioning. Common PROs for measuring cognitive impairment include: 

  • Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) 
  • EORTC-QLQ-C30 Cognitive functioning subscale (EORTC-CF) 
  • PROMIS – Cognitive Function & Cognitive Function – Abilities
  • MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) Symptom Library
  • PRO-CTCAE
  • QoL measures (EORTC and FACIT scales) 

How can we help you optimize the measurement of brain health?

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