Patient Survey on Dosage Strategies and Tolerability of Breast Cancer Therapy
Posted: Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Metastatic breast cancer therapies are usually initiated at the recommended starting dose, which is established based on results from clinical trials. However, according to Aditya Bardia, MD, MPH, of Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, and colleagues, a patient’s ability to tolerate the recommended starting dose may differ in the real-world setting. The results of an advocate-led survey, which were presented during the virtual edition of the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (Abstract 1005), may help to understand treatment-related side effects and views about dosage assessment from the patient’s perspective.
“Patient-physician discussions in which the patient’s physical attributes and circumstances are periodically assessed may determine the right dose for the patient upon treatment initiation and afterward,” the investigators commented.
A total of 1,221 patients with metastatic breast cancer completed a confidential online survey from the Patient-Centered Dosing Initiative. It was designed by patients and medical oncologists to determine the prevalence and impact of treatment-related side effects, quality of patient-physician communication, management of side effects, and interest in alternative approaches to the recommended starting dose when a new treatment is initiated or adverse side effects are experienced.
Most patients (86%) experienced at least one significant treatment-related side effect; a total of 20% of this population visited the emergency room or hospital, and 43% missed at least one treatment. The majority of patients with side effects (98%) discussed them with their doctors; a total of 82% of patients with side effects indicated they were helped by their physicians. Dosage reductions (66%) and prescription medications (59%) were the most frequently reported mitigation strategies. Of the 556 patients who were given a dosage reduction, 83% reported feeling better. In addition, the investigators noted that 92% of patients expressed willingness to discuss alternative dosing options with their physicians based upon their personal characteristics and individual preferences.
Disclosure: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit coi.asco.org.
