Patient-reported outcomes and experiences from a prospective cohort study of older patients with cancer on checkpoint inhibitors: The ELDERS study.

INTRODUCTION: Checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) are widely used across different tumour types in older cancer patients. The ELDERS study investigated primarily the safety of CPI in older patients, and secondarily its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), comparing older and younger patients. Here we describe the results from its secondary aim. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational, mixed methods study, consisting of questionnaires and qualitative interviews. Patients completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 at baseline and at three-monthly reviews (up to four over the planned 12 months on study). RESULTS: One hundred and forty patients, 70 in each age cohort (older: ≥70 years of age, younger: <70 years of age), were recruited. Twenty-four patients, 12 in each age cohort, were interviewed. The mean baseline EORTC QLQ-C30 score was 65/100 for both cohorts combined, and the score for the full QLQ-C30 assessment was 78/100 and 75/100 for older and younger, respectively. The physical functioning score was the only subscale to change significantly between baseline and the first and second reviews (p = 0.03 and 0.04, respectively), resulting from some improvement in the mean score (from baseline) within the younger cohort and some decline within the older cohort. However, when focusing on each cohort separately, the change over time was not statistically significant for either. Two main themes from the interviews were 'expectations' (thoughts about treatment before commencing) and 'experience' (lived experience during treatment). DISCUSSION: Quantitatively, there was no difference in the effect of CPIs on HRQoL between the cohorts, although qualitative data from interviews suggested that there were some experiential differences. People in the older cohort were less likely to seek additional information about CPIs and were more likely to report side effects. In terms of both 'expectations' and 'experience,' the older cohort was a heterogenous group, highlighting that an individualised approach is needed when supporting this group. This study shows that older patients can be reassured that immunotherapy is unlikely to negatively impact their HRQoL more than younger patients, and it should be considered a viable treatment option.

A systematic review of the effectiveness of decision making interventions on increasing perceptions of shared decision making occurring in advanced cancer consultations.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how decision making interventions for use in advanced cancer treatment consultations function and whether they increase perceptions of shared decision making (SDM) behaviours within consultations. METHODS: A systematic search of five literature databases was conducted. Evaluations of decision making interventions where participants faced active treatment decisions for stage 4 or otherwise incurable cancer were included. Intervention descriptions were coded using Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) to provide a narrative of how the interventions function. A narrative synthesis of interventions effect on perceptions of SDM behaviours compared to usual care was conducted. RESULTS: Four studies presenting different interventions were included. Education, training, modelling and enablement intervention functions were identified. Oncologist SDM training alone and combined with a patient communication aid demonstrated the only significant effect (p < 0.05) on SDM behaviours in advanced cancer consultations. CONCLUSION: Healthcare professional (HCP) SDM training which includes modelling and enablement functions may be effective in increasing clinician motivation, capability and opportunity to facilitate SDM in advanced cancer consultations. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Implementing HCP SDM training into practice may encourage greater uptake of SDM which may lead to treatment decisions concordant with the goals of care of people with advanced cancer.

Support and information needs for patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving concurrent chemo-radiotherapy treatment with curative intent: Findings from a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: Concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment (CCRT) is used to treat locally advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) in patients with suitable fitness. CCRT is associated with significant toxicity and time spent receiving treatment. Our aim was to identify the support and information needs of patients, and where possible their informal caregivers (IC), at key points along the CCRT pathway. METHODS: Participants were NSCLC patients who were either about to undergo, currently receiving or had finished CCRT. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants, and their IC where applicable, at the treatment centre or participants' home. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed prior to undergoing thematic analysis. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were interviewed; five were interviewed with their IC. Themes of physical, psychological, and practical support needs are identified with associated subthemes exploring specific needs, such as dealing with late treatment effects, and how patients seek support. Information needs prior to, during and following CCRT were also established as predominant themes with subthemes detailing the needs at these time points. Examples include differences in participant desire for toxicity information and life after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The need for disease, treatment and symptom related information and support remains consistent throughout CCRT and beyond. Further information and support for other matters including engaging in regular activities may also be desired. Time allocated within consultations to establish changes in needs or desire for further information may benefit patient and IC experience and QOL.

Respiratory distress symptom intervention for non-pharmacological management of the lung cancer breathlessness-cough-fatigue symptom cluster: randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: In lung cancer, three prominent symptoms, such as breathlessness, cough and fatigue, are closely related with each other forming a 'respiratory distress symptom cluster'. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the respiratory distress symptom intervention (RDSI) for the management of this symptom cluster in people with lung cancer. METHODS: A single blind, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial conducted in eight centres in England, UK. A total of 263 patients with lung cancer were randomised, including 132 who received RDSI and 131 who received standard care. To be eligible, participants self-reported adverse impact in daily life from at least two of the three symptoms, in any combination. Outcomes were change at 12 weeks for each symptom within the cluster, including Dyspnoea-12 (D-12), Manchester Cough in Lung Cancer (MCLC) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness-Fatigue. RESULTS: At baseline, nearly 60% of participants reported all three symptoms. At trial completion the total trial attrition was 109 (41.4%). Compared with the control group, the RDSI group demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in D-12 (p=0.007) and MCLC (p<0.001). The minimal clinically important difference MCID) was achieved for each outcome: D-12 -4.13 (MCID >3), MCLC -5.49 (MCID >3) and FACIT-F 4.91 (MCID >4). CONCLUSION: RDSI is a clinically effective, low-risk intervention to support the management of the respiratory distress symptom cluster in lung cancer. However, the study did experience high attrition, which needs to be taken onto consideration when interpreting these results. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03223805.

Long-term Quality of Life After Cytoreductive Surgery and Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Pseudomyxoma Peritonei: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are an established treatment for pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), but it is a major surgical procedure and may be associated with long-term morbidity. To date, health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) data among survivors are lacking. METHODS: A two-period qualitative study investigated patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC for PMP at a national peritoneal tumor center between 2003 and 2011. First, the European Organization for Research and Treatment (EORTC)-QLQ C30 HRQL questionnaire was used longitudinally preoperatively and at postoperative months 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24, then yearly thereafter. Second, it was updated in 2016 as a cross-sectional study. Both studies were compared with age- and sex-matched reference populations (one-way t tests). RESULTS: A total of 553 longitudinal HRQL questionnaires were completed for 137 patients, truncated at 60 months. In the 2016 update, 85 responses were received from 103 survivors (mean follow-up period, 8.11 years). Patients' physical, role, and social function scores were impaired until 12 months postoperatively, after which the scores did not differ significantly from those of with reference populations. Similarly, fatigue, appetite loss, insomnia, and financial difficulties worsened significantly compared with reference populations in the first 12-months and then normalized. In contrast, impaired cognitive function (82.3 vs 88.5; P = 0.017), constipation (13.7 vs 7.3; P = 0.032), and diarrheal symptoms (15.1 vs 4.9; P = 0.0006) persisted through both periods. Global health scores did not differ significantly from those of the reference population. CONCLUSIONS: Beyond 12 months postoperatively, CRS-HIPEC for PMP is associated with a good quality of life except for some cognitive functional impairment and bowel disturbances.