scholarly journals INNV-17. INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL APPROACHES TO ENHANCE PATIENT AND CAREGIVER UNDERSTANDING OF TTFIELDS FOR GLIOBLASTOMA

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi134-vi134
Author(s):  
Melissa Shackelford ◽  
Peggy Frongillo ◽  
Jeanine Certo

Abstract INTRODUCTION The most common, aggressive malignant brain tumor is Glioblastoma (GBM) with patient median survival of 15–21 months. Patients with GBM face devastation of diagnosis, disease-burden, and hardship of seeking accurate information regarding treatment options. Evolving technology-enhanced methods of learning challenge traditional ways patients with cancer are educated and create an educational paradigm shift. The device manufacturer of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields)) has developed innovative supplementary educational platforms to compliment healthcare provider (HCP) education of patients-caregivers with GBM treated with TTFields. This report aimed to evaluate these supplementary educational platforms. METHODS Emerging technology methods were employed to address patient-caregiver frequently asked questions, which included queries regarding treatment overview, mechanism of action, treatment initiation, and management to potentially ease the emotional burden of patients-caregivers seeking TTFields information. The TTFields educational platforms included incorporation of Web program, Buddy Program, Open-House Program (live and webinar), Chalk-Talk Video, and Facebook. RESULTS Educational platforms connecting potential and current TTFields patients-caregivers via live/webinar Open-House events ensured patient support. The phone-based Buddy Program allowed for direct 1:1 discussions between potential and current TTFields patients-caregivers. Patient-caregiver surveys revealed 100% would recommend the program to others (n=91); 98% were satisfied with the call experience (n=90); 76% felt the most valuable takeaway was speaking to someone who understands their situation (n=82). Of ambassadors, 98% felt they helped address registrants’ concerns (n=150). A dedicated TTFields Facebook page and first-ever, industry-led Facebook Live event (national broadcast; patients-caregivers discussed unique issues) were launched. Additionally, vignettes (eg, videos, written stories) were shared through a dedicated patient-caregiver website and YouTube channel. CONCLUSIONS In an ever-growing information age, it is important that HCPs become aware of innovative ways to reach and provide education for patients with brain cancer. Emerging technology utilization may improve GBM supportive care, by improving communication channels and potentially easing burden.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihyun Kim ◽  
Sooseong You

Abstract Purpose Most patients with cancer undergo multiple administrations of anticancer drugs during treatment, resulting in chronic impairment of their reproductive health. As improved treatment options increase cancer survival, it has become increasingly important to address fertility issues in cancer survivors. In this study, we examined the pathophysiological effects of multiple exposures to cyclophosphamide (Cy) on the ovaries of mice and their underlying molecular mechanism. Methods Female C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with 100 mg/kg Cy six times over 2 weeks; 4 weeks later, the mice were sacrificed and their ovaries, sera, and oocytes were collected for histological observation, measurement of anti-Müllerian hormone levels, and assessment of oocyte quantity and quality in response to hormonal stimulation. Gene expression changes in Cy-treated ovaries were examined by microarray and bioinformatics analyses. Results After repeated Cy exposure, the anti-Müllerian hormone level was decreased, and follicle loss and impairments in the quality of oocyte were irreversible. The expression levels of genes involved in folliculogenesis, oogenesis, and zona pellucida glycoprotein transcription displayed sustained alterations in Cy-exposed ovaries even after 4 weeks. Conclusion The adverse effects of Cy on ovarian function and oocytes remained even after chemotherapy was complete. Therefore, strategies to prevent ovarian damage or restore ovarian function after treatment are required to safeguard the fertility of young cancer survivors.


Author(s):  
V.V. Polkin ◽  
◽  
V.S. Medvedev ◽  
D.N. Derbugov ◽  
P.A. Isaev ◽  
...  

Radiotherapy is used to treat approximately 80% of patients with cancer of the head and neck. Despite enormous advances in radiotherapy planning and delivery, a significant number of pa-tients will experience radiation-associated toxicities. Many effective management options are available for acute radiotherapy-associated toxicities, but treatment options are much more lim-ited and of variable benefit among patients who develop late sequelae after radiotherapy. The present work is based on observations of 586 patients with oral and oropharynx cancer, for which interstitial neutron therapy was carried out in an independent version or in combination with re-mote radiation therapy. Radiation injuries occurred in 130 (22.2%) patients, in 92 (15.7%) they appeared in the form of radiation ulcers and in 38 (6.4%) – osteoradionecrosis of the lower jaw. The clinical picture and the course of radiation injuries after interstitial neutron therapy with sources of 252Cf did not differ significantly from radiation complications after photon irradiation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi109-vi110
Author(s):  
Peggy Frongillo ◽  
P Gage Gwyn ◽  
Connie Wagenknecht ◽  
Nichelle Renae Adams

Abstract BACKGROUND The standard-of-care for newly-diagnosed glioblastoma (ndGBM) has been the standard Stupp protocol. In ndGBM, approved TTFields (200 KHz) concomitant with maintenance temozolomide significantly improved progression-free survival and overall survival. TTFields-therapy selectively disrupts cancer cell division, requiring array-application to the shaved-scalp to non-invasively deliver TTFields to tumor location and confer clinical benefit. This survey-study assessed factors impacting decision of oncologist/patient/caregiver to initiate TTFields-therapy. METHODS A clinical-market research group administered double-blinded, online-questionnaires (30-min) to oncologists/ndGBM-patients/caregivers. Survey questions, an amalgamate of closed-/open-ended questions, were designed to track awareness, perceptions, and acceptance of ndGBM treatments in a representative United States (US) oncologist and adult patient/caregiver population (semi-annually; 2018-2020). The present survey-analysis focuses on results related to initiation of TTFields-therapy for ndGBM. RESULTS Four separate patient/caregiver surveys (Q1/2018-Q3/2020; (n=50-51/wave) and 4 separate oncologist surveys (Q2/2019-Q4/2020; n=130/wave) were conducted. Results suggest majority of patients with ndGBM research treatment options, including TTFields-therapy, immediately after surgery and before radiation/initial temozolomide; and initiate TTFields-therapy after radiation/initial temozolomide (ie, before maintenance temozolomide). Patients-reported initially learning about TTFields post-surgery via oncologists, nurses, support groups, social-media, and TTFields web-based resources. Among 97% of current/previous TTFields-users, the key patient-driver for selecting TTFields, mirroring oncologist-driver to recommend, was efficacy/survival benefit. Other highly-rated selection-drivers were anti-mitotic mechanism (93%), improved long-term 5-year survival (87%), sustained quality-of-life (87%), and no travel requirement to start (87%). In latest study wave, reported patient usage-barrier was the inability to subsequently enroll in clinical trials (64%), while the top-reported oncologist prescribing-barrier was concern with patient treatment usage (60%). Also, survey suggests oncologists discuss TTFields with most patients with ndGBM, citing efficacy and National Comprehensive Cancer Network® inclusion as key treatment-initiation drivers. CONCLUSIONS Overall, survey data suggests awareness (100%, aided; 61%-68%, unaided) by US oncologists/patients/caregivers of TTFields (200 kHz) as a viable treatment option for adults with ndGBM.


Author(s):  
Ria Hanewald ◽  
Wan Ng

This chapter aims to provide an outline of the digital revolution and the way that mobile devices facilitate participation in the Information age. It provides readers with a broad understanding of the key developments that have emerged over the past two decades as well as the current developments in this area. New and emerging practices relating to the use of mobile technologies for learning and their underlying drivers will be explored. The interconnectivity of applications and devices that is closely linked to concepts of multiple literacies and digital citizenship will be discussed. This brief review of the emerging technology landscape allows for greater appreciation and fuller exploitation of the potential that mobile technologies hold and provides a portrayal of its topography to enable conceptualization at a macro-level.


Author(s):  
Fay J. Hlubocky ◽  
Daniel F. McFarland ◽  
Patricia A. Spears ◽  
Laura Smith ◽  
Bonnie Patten ◽  
...  

In the United States, many cancer centers advertise their clinical services directly to the public. Although there are potential public benefits from such advertising, including increased patient awareness of treatment options and improved access to care and clinical trials, there is also potential for harm through misinformation, provision of false hope, inappropriate use of health care resources, and disruption in doctor–patient relationships. Although patient education through advertising is appropriate, misleading patients in the name of gaining market share, boosting profits, or even boosting trial accrual is not. It is critical that rigorous ethical guidelines are adopted and that oversight is introduced to ensure that cancer center marketing supports good patient care and public health interests. Patients with cancer have been identified as an especially vulnerable population because of fears and anxiety related to their diagnosis and the very real need to identify optimal sources of care. Cancer organizations have a fiduciary duty and a moral and legal obligation to provide truthful information to avoid deceptive, inaccurate claims associated with treatment success. In this article, actionable recommendations are provided for both the oncologist and the cancer center’s marketing team to promote ethical marketing of services to patients with cancer. This tailored guidance for the oncology community includes explicit communication on (1) ensuring fair and balanced promotion of cancer services, (2) avoiding exaggeration of claims in the context of reputational marketing, (3) providing data and statistics to support direct and implied assertions of treatment success, and (4) defining eligible patient groups in the context of marketing for research. These recommendations for cancer centers are designed to promote ethical quality marketing information to patients with cancer.


ESMO Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. e000948
Author(s):  
Alok A Khorana ◽  
Alexander T Cohen ◽  
Marc Carrier ◽  
Guy Meyer ◽  
Ingrid Pabinger ◽  
...  

Patients with cancer are at high risk of venous thromboembolic events, and this risk can be further increased in patients with certain cancer types and by cancer treatments. Guidelines on the prevention of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) recommend thromboprophylaxis for hospitalised patients; however, this is not routinely recommended for ambulatory patients receiving chemotherapy and is limited to specified high-risk patients. Identification of the ambulatory patients at risk of CAT who would most benefit from anticoagulant therapy is therefore critical to reduce the incidence of this complication. For patients receiving thromboprophylaxis for CAT, treatment options include low molecular weight heparin, acetylsalicylic acid, warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants (apixaban or rivaroxaban), dependent on the cancer type and cancer treatment regimen. This review discusses emerging clinical trial data and their potential clinical impact.


Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Span ◽  
Jan Bussink

Radiotherapy is given to a majority of patients with cancer, and remains one of the most (cost)effective treatment options available [...]


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18228-e18228
Author(s):  
Dazhi Liu ◽  
Thu Oanh Dang ◽  
Stephen Harnicar ◽  
Katherine Kargus ◽  
Lauren A Evans ◽  
...  

e18228 Background: Early phase clinical trials have broadened treatment options for patients with cancer. Expert management of these new therapies is essential to positive patient outcomes. At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Developmental Therapeutic Center (DTC) satisfies this need. Oncology clinical pharmacists collaborate with other healthcare professionals to maximize the benefits of drug therapy and minimize toxicities. The purpose of this project is to describe the interventions from a clinical pharmacist assigned to the DTC. Methods: A clinical pharmacist joined DTC to serve adult patients with cancer undergoing clinical trials. The clinical pharmacist acted as a liaison between pharmacy team and medical team, and sees patients during their trial eligibility screening and follow-up visits. The interventions were documented by the clinical pharmacist in patients’ medical charts and email communications. All interventions during 1 month were retrospectively collected and categorized into supportive care optimization, protocol violation prevention, and operational. Results: The oncology clinical pharmacist was involved in 115 patient visits for trial eligibility screening or protocol follow-up. A total of 769 interventions were addressed including supportive care optimization (40.2%), protocol violation prevention (24.7%), and operational (35.1%). Conclusions: The oncology clinical pharmacist is actively engaged in many aspects of cancer care at the early phase trial clinic. Our results demonstrate the vital role of an oncology clinical pharmacist. The impact of these categorized intervention areas would require a formal outcome and cost-saving analysis. [Table: see text]


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (34_suppl) ◽  
pp. 38-38
Author(s):  
Farya Phillips ◽  
Boone W Goodgame ◽  
Barbara L Jones

38 Background: Clear communication between patients and providers is imperative to maximize patient outcomes, particularly for patients with incurable cancer who require prompt engagement in decision-making. In response to the need to engage in quality patient-centered communication, an interprofessional team, representing medicine, nursing, social work, and spiritual care developed a simple, single-page tool that summarizes the prognosis and treatment plan for patients with incurable cancers. This pilot study evaluates the communication guide, Communicating Oncologic Prognosis with Empathy (COPE), for discussing prognosis and treatment options for cancer patients. Methods: A pilot test of 30 participants with incurable cancer was completed at an oncology clinic. The communication guide was evaluated using a pre- and post-test design, participants completed a prognosis and treatment perception survey (PTPQ) prior to their first oncology appointment. Patients then met with their oncologist and the COPE guide was used to guide the discussion and patients received a copy of the COPE guide. The COPE guide was placed in the patient chart and other members of the healthcare team were able to use the tool to provide the patient with support and explore the patient’s response to information received. Patients completed the post-test PTPQ at 4 week follow up and completed exit interviews to assess patient reported impact on communication with medical team, caregivers, and quality of life. Results: Key findings revealed participants prefer receiving detailed information about prognosis and have differing perceptions about goals of treatment compared to the oncology team. The tool seemed to facilitate mostly accurate information recall regarding prognosis and treatment options. Conclusions: Despite the high value patients placed on knowing about prognosis and quality of communication with their medical team, the majority reported incongruent goals of treatment and likelihood of cure compared with their oncologist, highlighting major gaps in patients’ understanding of their prognosis. The COPE guide serves as a promising mechanism to enhance patient-centered communication about prognosis and treatment for patients with incurable cancer.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (24) ◽  
pp. 2627-2634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arash Naeim ◽  
Matti Aapro ◽  
Rashmi Subbarao ◽  
Lodovico Balducci

The treatment of cancer presents specific concerns that are unique to the growing demographic of elderly patients. Because the incidence of cancer is strongly correlated with aging, the expansion of supportive care and other age-appropriate therapies will be of great importance as the population of elderly patients with cancer increases in the coming years. Elderly patients are especially likely to experience febrile neutropenia, complications from chemotherapy-induced nausea, anemia, osteoporosis (especially in patients diagnosed with breast or prostate cancer), depression, insomnia, and fatigue. These issues are often complicated by other chronic conditions related to age, such as diabetes and cardiac disease. For many patients, symptoms may be addressed both through lifestyle management and pharmaceutical approaches. Therefore, the key to improving quality of life for the elderly patient with cancer is an awareness of their specific needs and a familiarity with emergent treatment options.


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