Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 1, 2025

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts
10:27

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts

Published on: July 25, 2020

7.6K

Developing Symptom Lists for People with Cancer Treated with Targeted Therapies

Samantha C Sodergren1, Sally J Wheelwright1, Deborah Fitzsimmons2

  • 1School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.

Targeted Oncology
|November 9, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Patient input is crucial for developing effective symptom lists for targeted cancer therapies (TTs). This research identified key symptoms to improve patient monitoring and treatment evaluation.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

  • Targeted therapies (TTs) offer specific cancer treatment but require efficient methods for evaluating their unique symptom profiles.
  • Patient-reported outcome measures are essential for timely assessment and management of TTs.
  • Developing comprehensive symptom lists is vital for effective clinical management of patients on TTs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a validated set of symptoms associated with targeted therapies (TTs).
  • To identify the most effective method for creating patient-reported symptom lists for TTs.

Main Methods:

  • Symptoms were identified through literature reviews, healthcare professional (HCP) interviews, and patient focus groups across Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML), HER2-positive breast cancer, and Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GIST).
  • A pilot test of the symptom set was conducted with patients undergoing TT treatment.
  • The contribution of items from literature, patients, and HCPs was compared.

Main Results:

  • The study involved 316 patients and 86 HCPs from 16 countries.
  • An initial list of 209 symptoms was refined to 61 symptoms across 12 categories.
  • Patient interviews provided the most significant contribution to the final symptom item set.

Conclusions:

  • Symptom lists for targeted therapies should prioritize patient-reported input for accurate assessment.
  • The developed symptom item set is suitable for evaluating new TTs and monitoring ongoing treatment.
  • This approach enhances the clinical management of patients receiving targeted cancer therapies.

More Related Videos

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo09:19

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo

Published on: February 6, 2015

9.0K
Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma03:36

Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: April 12, 2024

682

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
8.2K
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
9.4K
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
5.7K
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.5K
Cancer Vaccines01:30

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
742
Cancer Survival Analysis01:21

Cancer Survival Analysis

Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
548