George Kafatos1, Sabada Dube2, Peter Burdon3, Gaston Demonty4, Alain Flinois5, Marjorie Leclerc5, Kimberly Lowe6, Maurille Feudjo-Tepie2, Siegfried Segaert7. 1. Center for Observational Research, Amgen Ltd, Uxbridge, United Kingdom. Electronic address: gkafatos@amgen.com. 2. Center for Observational Research, Amgen Ltd, Uxbridge, United Kingdom. 3. EU Medical Affairs, Amgen (Europe) GmbH, Rotkreuz, Switzerland. 4. Medical Development, Amgen, Brussels, Belgium. 5. RWE/Epi Studies, Kantar Health, Paris, France. 6. Center for Observational Research, Amgen Inc, Thousand Oaks, CA. 7. Dermatologist, Tremelo, Belgium.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to provide a description of existing measures for the prevention and management of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor monoclonal antibody-induced skin toxicities and factors impacting patients' adherence to those measures in France, Germany, and Spain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 2 separate surveys. Health care professionals (HCPs; oncologists and nurses) in France, Germany, and Spain were interviewed, and patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and head-and-neck cancer in France and Germany self-completed questionnaires. The study was conducted between February and July 2018. RESULTS: A total of 53 oncologists, 44 nurses, and 143 patients participated in the study. HCPs stated that skin toxicities moderately (52%) or severely (28%) impacted patient care. Ninety percent of HCPs reported routine provision of prophylactic measures. The great majority of patients self-reported adherence with the prophylactic (80% to 88% depending on the type of measures) and reactive (93% to drug prescription) skin toxicity recommendations. HCPs estimated patient adherence to be 45% for full adherence and 40% for partial adherence. Most HCPs reported a positive or very positive impact of preventive measures and recommendations on skin toxicity incidence and severity, patients' quality of life, and various aspects of quality of anti-cancer treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Skin toxicities are an important adversity negatively impacting on patient care. However, despite the positive perception of the effectiveness of skin toxicity prophylaxis, almost one-third of oncology centers did not provide formal guidelines, and 10% of HCPs did not provide routine prophylactic measures. Patient adherence appears to be high for epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor monoclonal antibody-induced skin toxicity prevention measures.
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to provide a description of existing measures for the prevention and management of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor monoclonal antibody-induced skin toxicities and factors impacting patients' adherence to those measures in France, Germany, and Spain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 2 separate surveys. Health care professionals (HCPs; oncologists and nurses) in France, Germany, and Spain were interviewed, and patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and head-and-neck cancer in France and Germany self-completed questionnaires. The study was conducted between February and July 2018. RESULTS: A total of 53 oncologists, 44 nurses, and 143 patients participated in the study. HCPs stated that skin toxicities moderately (52%) or severely (28%) impacted patient care. Ninety percent of HCPs reported routine provision of prophylactic measures. The great majority of patients self-reported adherence with the prophylactic (80% to 88% depending on the type of measures) and reactive (93% to drug prescription) skin toxicity recommendations. HCPs estimated patient adherence to be 45% for full adherence and 40% for partial adherence. Most HCPs reported a positive or very positive impact of preventive measures and recommendations on skin toxicity incidence and severity, patients' quality of life, and various aspects of quality of anti-cancer treatment. CONCLUSIONS:Skin toxicities are an important adversity negatively impacting on patient care. However, despite the positive perception of the effectiveness of skin toxicity prophylaxis, almost one-third of oncology centers did not provide formal guidelines, and 10% of HCPs did not provide routine prophylactic measures. Patient adherence appears to be high for epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor monoclonal antibody-induced skin toxicity prevention measures.