OBJECTIVES:To evaluate the effect of a digital health coaching (DHC) program on global health, symptom burden, quality of life, healthcare utilization, and financial toxicity. SAMPLE & SETTING:254 adult women undergoing active treatment for breast cancer at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. METHODS & VARIABLES:Participants were randomized to a six-month usual care or DHC program, which included weekly calls from a health advisor, unlimited patient-initiated communication, and digital delivery of health-behavior content. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were collected at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months. Linear mixed models were used to assess intervention effects. RESULTS:Participants were enrolled from August 2019 to December 2022. Quality of life, symptom severity, and financial toxicity improved in both groups, whereas symptom interference worsened. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING:Oncology nurses should monitor PROs among women undergoing active treatment for breast cancer. Further research is needed to understand the effects of DHC on PROs.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an intensive treatment requiring the support of a caregiver. This role is a highly demanding responsibility, and caregivers often face distress. In a world that has become highly technological, the aim of this integrative review is to determine the availability and impact of remote interventions in reducing distress in caregivers of HSCT patients. A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases. The search included articles published between January 1, 2013, and February 20, 2023. The search yielded 699 unique articles, of which four were included in the final review. The four included studies of the impact of remote interventions on distress or burden in caregivers of adult HSCT patients. Two organizing themes emerged: availability and impact. Availability encompassed intervention accessibility and delivery type while impact considered caregiver quality of life (QOL), mental health, and perceived usefulness. These themes were evaluated in the articles via a variety of validated assessment tools and structured interviews. Ultimately, this integrative review suggests that while remote interventions for caregivers of patients undergoing HSCT are relatively limited, initial studies are perceived as useful and are promising in their potential to improve caregiver QOL and mental health and reduce distress.

Medical aid in dying (MAID) is a treatment option that allows a patient to end their life prematurely. It has been a widely discussed topic over recent years regarding individuals with terminal illness. This review examined the cancer patient’s views on MAID and the factors influencing their perspective. A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases. The search included articles published between 1997 and 2024. The initial search yielded 184 articles and 12 of those articles were included for review. These articles all examined variables that affect the adult patient perspective on MAID in individuals with cancer. The factors include demographic characteristics, physical and mental health, social support, quality of life, spirituality, and psychosocial burden. Findings suggest a need for further research to be completed on this topic, especially from the perspective of those with terminal cancer, which would assist patients and caregivers alike in assessing available end-of-life options. Consideration of the variables that influence cancer patients’ opinions regarding MAID is essential for healthcare professionals to establish respectful, patient-centered care and informed decision-making surrounding end-of-life decisions. Exploration regarding cancer patient perspectives, ethical perspectives, and clinical experiences to provide a comprehensive understanding of this complex and challenging topic. This review gives unique insights regarding cancer perspectives, which allows for compassionate, patient care that respects individual autonomy at the end of life.

BACKGROUND: The out-of-pocket cost of oral oncolytics led to the creation of patient assistance programs (PAPs) as an intervention to mitigate financial toxicity. Despite these programs, eligibility and accessibility barriers may disqualify patients from receiving financial assistance for prescribed oral oncolytics. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this integrative review was to identify eligibility and accessibility barriers related to PAPs. METHODS: Acomprehensive search was conducted in PubMed (R) and Ovid (R) databases for articles published from January 2014 through December 2023. Five articles were included in the review. FINDINGS: Eligibility and accessibility barriers of PAPs include insurance status, income ceilings, out-of-pocket costs, and prescription-to- initiation timeline delays. Overall, findings were mixed on what would qualify a patient fora PAP. Transparency from PAPs and the use of pharmacy- based interventions for PAPs can help clinicians efficiently prescribe oral oncolytics.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, with incidence on the rise, particularly in younger adults. Surgery is a key treatment modality and often results in the construction of an ostomy, either temporary or permanent. This integrative review discusses psychosocial implications of ostomies in women with CRC. A literature review was conducted using Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, and PubMed. The search included articles published between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2022. The search yielded 684 articles, with a total of six included in the final review. Articles were excluded for not being specific to CRC, not being specific to ostomates, lacking data specific to women, and focusing solely on sexual health. The main issues that emerged were the loss of bodily control, impaired social support and acceptance, social limitations, altered body image, and alterations in sense of self. This review found that factors such as time since surgery, age, relationship status, and cultural background may influence the degree of psychosocial impact of ostomies in women with CRC. Given these factors are substantial and multifaceted, future research should be directed at identifying the subset of women with ostomies as a result of CRC with high-risk demographics.

Tongue cancer treatment often involves glossectomy and flap reconstruction. Since the tongue plays a vital role in swallowing, chewing, speaking, airway protection, and taste, it also plays a major role in the patient's quality of life (QOL) after reconstruction. Therefore, the flap that best preserves QOL should be determined. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Ovid MEDLINE, with a total of 446 articles retrieved. Four studies were included in this integrative review, which all utilized the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire to assess QOL in tongue cancer patients post-glossectomy and flap reconstruction. The articles specifically compared radial forearm free flap to pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, submental island pedicled flap, anterolateral thigh flap, and lateral upper forearm flap. Based on the included articles, no flap significantly preserved QOL. However, a certain flap may be more suitable for a patient based on the patient's preferences, lifestyle, health status, and goals. Therefore, it is important for providers to complete a thorough history and assessment prior to surgery so that the flap chosen upholds the patient's goals and preserves overall QOL.

Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYAs) are uniquely challenged with navigating health care systems during an important developmental phase of life. During the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many people experienced social isolation, mental health symptoms, and schooling and employment changes, which may have affected vulnerable AYA cancer survivors. The purpose of this integrative review is to explore the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AYA cancer survivors in the United States. A literature search was conducted in November 2022 using PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases with the following search terms: distress*, depress*, lonel*, anx*, insomnia*, cancer*, neoplasm, COVID-19, coronavirus, young adult, AYA, teen*, and adolescen*. The initial search yielded 468 articles. Inclusion criteria required that studies were conducted in the United States, published in English, with a sample of patients diagnosed with cancer between ages 15 and 39. After review and appraisal of each relevant article, eight were included. Through comparative analysis of eight articles, including qualitative and quantitative studies, three themes emerged: mental health impact, health care impact, and financial impact. Mental health impact included increased anxiety, worsening depression and social isolation, and sleep disturbances. Changes in health care included delays in care, medical cost-coping and benefits of virtual care. Financial difficulties included employment changes and benefits of remote work. The COVID-19 pandemic had an immense impact on the psychosocial health of AYA cancer survivors. It is essential that oncology providers and health care teams consider specific interventions to best serve the psychosocial needs of their AYA patients.

The purpose of this review is to assess the efficacy and adverse events associated with intratumoral injection in the treatment of solid tumor malignancies. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, and Scopus databases from 2009 to 2022. A total of 588 articles were retrieved, with five selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria specified English language publications, in human trials, and use of intratumoral anticancer agents. The findings from this integrative review demonstrate treatment efficacy as measured by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 criteria with increased stable disease and partial response in patients as well as a prolonged survival period. Additionally, findings show that this therapy is associated with predominantly mild adverse events.

Patients undergoing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy may experience side effects including cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), neutropenia, and infection. Growth factor has historically been used to treat neutropenia; however, its role in CAR T-cell therapy is not well explained. Existing data on the safety and efficacy of growth factor are conflicting. The purpose of this integrative review was to explore the safety and efficacy of growth factor in adult patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing CAR T-cell therapy. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health (CINAHL), and Scopus databases. A total of 2,635 articles were retrieved. Four studies were included that looked at the use of growth factor in the CAR T-cell setting. Safety outcomes evaluated included CRS, ICANS, neutropenic fever and/or infection, and neutropenia duration. Efficacy outcomes evaluated included CAR T-cell expansion and treatment response. The literature suggests that growth factor may not increase CRS prevalence, but may lead to an increased grade of CRS, namely grade 2. Growth factor administration does not have any association with ICANS toxicity, CAR T-cell expansion, or treatment response. Its use may not necessarily lead to decreased infection rates but may shorten the duration of neutropenia. Practice implications for providers working with this unique patient population include using growth factor early in the course of CAR T-cell therapy as treatment to shorten the duration of neutropenia rather than infection prophylaxis.

The adolescent and young adult (AYA) ages are a time when individuals are susceptible to risky behaviors, including binge drinking, tobacco, marijuana, and illicit drug use. AYAs are at an increased risk for developing chronic health problems compared with their healthy peers, and substance use can pose additional risks. The purpose of this review is to compare substance use in AYAs with their healthy peers and identify contributing factors. A literature search was conducted of PubMed, Scopus, and OVID databases using keywords substance*, adolescent*, adolescence*, teens*, teenager*, young adult*, pediatric*, childhood*, cancer*, and oncology*. The initial search yielded 148 articles. Inclusion criteria specified English language and articles from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2023. Studies were excluded if they did not include participants aged <18 years and without a noncancer comparison group. Five relevant articles were included after review and appraisal. Substance use was examined by substance use type and contributing factors, including caregiver-AYA relations, age, and depression/coping. Findings were mixed for substance use, including tobacco and alcohol use. Findings indicate no consistent pattern-substance use was both more and less common in AYAs than in their noncancer peers, or substance use did not differ between AYAs and their noncancer peers. With mixed results, each study identified some level of substance use in AYAs. Given this knowledge, when treating AYAs, providers should be diligent about screening for substance use during each visit. AYAs should be educated about the risk of substance use, especially as a vulnerable, at-risk population.

Purpose: The purpose of this integrative literature review was to determine factors that increase the risk of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)–related myocarditis in the cancer patient population. Methods: A literature review was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Review. Dates searched were from inception through March 1, 2022. Inclusion criteria included English language, cancer patients receiving ICI treatment, and risk factors for myocarditis. Articles were excluded if they were a non-human study, duplicate, had an irrelevant title or content, or were a review or commentary. Results: Patients with cancer who receive ICIs have an associated increased risk of myocarditis if they are older than 64 years, have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 28, and have a history of cardiovascular medication use. Conclusions: Myocarditis remains a rare cardiovascular adverse effect of ICIs. However, the mortality risk among this subset of patients remains high. Additional prospective randomized-controlled trials would be beneficial to further determine a causal relationship between risk factors for ICI-related myocarditis. Risk stratification tools may allow oncology medical providers to identify patients at a higher risk of ICI-related myocarditis to increase earlier surveillance.

Abstract Background Understanding the impact of a digital health coaching (DHC) program on patient-reported outcomes in women with breast cancer is imperative as web-based platforms and mobile phone applications to address health care needs flood the marketplace. This study evaluated the effect of a DHC program on patient-reported outcomes, including global health (primary outcome), symptom burden, quality of life, healthcare utilization, and financial toxicity among women undergoing active treatment for breast cancer. Methods English-speaking adult women undergoing active treatment for breast cancer were randomized to receive usual care or a 6-month DHC program, consisting of weekly telephone calls from a Health Advisor, unlimited patient-initiated communication via phone, text, or email, and digital delivery of additional health-behavior content. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were collected using validated measures at baseline, and 1, 3, and 6 months. Summary statistics were used to describe participant characteristics. Linear mixed models were used to assess the effect of the intervention on outcomes. Results Participants (n=254, planned enrollment=440) were enrolled from August 2019 to December 2022 and randomized equally to the control and intervention groups (n=127 each). Demographic data are presented in Table 1. Participants had a mean age of 48 (SD =10.15) years; 74% were White; 19.7% were Hispanic. In both groups, several PRO scores changed over time with some improving (quality of life and symptom severity) and others worsening (symptom interference and financial toxicity) compared to baseline (time effects). Of those enrolled in the intervention group 69% were retained in the DHC program, with an overall average of 4.6 months of engagement for all participants. There were no significant group (intervention versus control) effects or group by time interaction effects observed. Trends within and between groups are presented in Table 2. Though not statistically significant, there were fewer ER visits in the intervention group at each timepoint. Conclusions: While differential improvements in the DHC group were not observed, interesting trends in PROs over the 6-month enrollment period were observed in both groups. Participants reported improvements in quality of life and worsening of financial toxicity. Interestingly, slight improvements in symptom severity over time were observed in both groups while symptom interference worsened. Potential reasons for failure to detect a treatment effect for DHC may include ineffectiveness of DHC on the selected outcomes, the intervention not being strong enough as currently delivered to detect a treatment effect, varying uptake of DHC in the intervention group, heterogeneity of the sample, or the study being underpowered due to COVID restrictions affecting enrollment. Table 1. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the study population (n = 254) Table 2. Trends in Patient Reported Outcomes and Healthcare Utilization Citation Format: Meagan Whisenant, Eileen Hacker, Loretta Williams, Joyce Dains, Bryan Fellman, Trinity Isaac, Valerie Shelton, Austin Barr, Carolyn Harty, Mazi Rasulnia, Kelly Brassil. The Effect of a Digital Health Coaching Program on Patient Reported Outcomes of Women with Breast Cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PS02-08.

Background To advance oncology nursing science and clinical practice, researchers and clinicians must understand the important real-world concerns of nurses who provide direct care to people with cancer or manage processes that support patient care. Objective This study developed a comprehensive compendium of real-world concerns among oncology nurses and built consensus regarding their importance. Methods Using Delphi survey methodology, this prospective, descriptive study was performed in 3 phases: (1) identification of experts, defined as registered nurses (RNs) employed within a comprehensive cancer center; (2) qualitative content analysis of 353 responses from 267 RNs who responded to the question, “What do you see as nursing research concerns, problems, and/or issues on your unit or in your work environment that needs to be studied?”; and (3) rating the importance of 62 research themes identified from the qualitative content analysis (n = 247 RNs). Results The top research priority was patient safety followed by patient education, oncologic emergencies, patient expectations and adherence with care, team communication, patient psychosocial needs, patient-reported outcomes and quality of life, healthcare team burnout, workload, and nurse burnout. Conclusions The findings support the nursing discipline’s fundamental focus on patient safety, the top-rated nursing research priority, along with other patient-related and work environment issues. Implications for Practice Oncology nursing is complex and complicated. This study identified and prioritized the real-world concerns, issues, and problems of oncology RNs who provide direct care or manage the processes that support care, supporting the need to focus on patient-related and work environment research.

As many as 24.7% of cancer patients are also parents to children younger than 18 years of age. This population faces unique challenges, and quality of life in parental cancer patients has not been well studied. This integrative review assessed parental cancer patients' quality of life. PubMed and Scopus were searched using the following terms: quality of life, distress, anxiety, coping, emotion, social support, employment, work, psychosocial, physical, function, parental cancer, and parents with cancer. English publications conducted within the past 15 years that used an objective instrument to measure quality of life in adult cancer patients with children 18 years of age or younger were included. Studies with an intervention focus were excluded. After review of 672 articles, nine studies met the criteria for inclusion. Several instruments were utilized to measure quality of life. Some parental cancer patients reported decreased quality of life when compared with other cancer patients and the general population at diagnosis and years after. Parental cancer patients may be at an increased risk of decreased quality of life. With this understanding, health-care providers should complete comprehensive assessments routinely so that these patients' unique needs may be more adequately addressed.

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in stem cell transplant (SCT) patients. Cytomegalovirus hyperimmunoglobulin (CMV-HIG) therapy has been described in the solid organ transplant setting. However, no review has focused on preemptive use of intravenous CMV immunoglobulins in the SCT setting. This review aims to consolidate findings regarding the preemptive use of CMV-HIG for CMV viremia in SCT patients. Methods: PubMed and Scopus were searched using specific search criteria for publications from 2011 to 2021. Search terms were: cytomegalovirus, CMV, immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin, IVIG, CMVIG, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and stem cell. Included studies discussed stem cell transplantation, immunoglobulins, and cytomegalovirus. 366 articles were identified from the search. Five articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Preemptive CMV-HIG resulted in an overall response in 65% to 100% of patients with a clearance time of 14 to 21 days. Early use of CMV-HIG may shorten clearance time. No treatment-related mortality or serious adverse events were associated. Conclusion: CMV-HIG is an effective treatment option in SCT patients that is as safe as antivirals alone. Preemptive CMV-HIG with antivirals may provide the added advantage of reduced time to viremia clearance without adding renal injury. Larger, prospective studies are needed to evaluate CMV-HIG’s impact on time to viremia clearance and the effectiveness of preemptive CMV-HIG use with antivirals.

ABSTRACT:Nurse practitioners and physician associates (NPs and PAs) have become an integral part of health care delivery in every clinical setting. Both NPs and PAs possess the knowledge and skills to deliver quality care to patients that may otherwise go without. There is a push to have NPs and PAs work to the top of their licenses and take on leadership roles as they help reshape health care delivery in the United States. However, high-level leadership positions for this group of clinicians are not abundant, and no specific pathway has been established to develop these skills. The aim of this report is to share the early experience of a small group of NPs and PAs, given the opportunity to function as inpatient medical directors (IMD) and the qualities that make them ideal for this novel leadership role.

Radiation is a recommended front-line treatment for many adult head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Early identification of radiation-associated carotid artery disease (CAD), a well-known phenomenon, can minimize long-term sequelae. This integrative literature review assesses the use of ultrasound measured carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) as an early marker of CAD in adult HNC patients after neck radiation. A search of PubMed and Scopus databases in December 2020 yielded 475 unique articles published between January 2011 and December 2020, of which eight met inclusion criteria. Carotid IMT, measured by ultrasound, was significantly increased after neck radiation in all reviewed publications. Ultrasound was able to detect IMT measurements exceeding or at risk of exceeding pathologic IMT, indicating higher risk for future cardiovascular events. Findings suggest that radiation-associated carotid IMT increase occurs early and persists for years. Ultrasound adequately detects post-radiation carotid IMT changes and is a reliable early marker for radiation-associated CAD. Initiation of ultrasound screening should be considered prior to neck radiation for a baseline and at 1 year post treatment to optimize medical management.

Purpose:The purpose of this integrative review was to establish the role of cardiac rhythm analysis (electrocardiogram; EKG) and echocardiogram in increasing clinical suspicion for and earlier diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis.Methods:A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases. Dates searched were from January 2017 to May 2021. Inclusion criteria included a diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis, use of EKG, and echocardiogram participants 18 years and older. Articles were excluded if they were duplicates, had an irrelevant title, or were incomplete.Results:Results indicated neither EKG nor echocardiogram alone or in combination are sufficient for diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis. There is, however, a combination of findings that could potentially prove useful in "ruling in" cardiac amyloidosis and prompt further evaluation. Predominant findings in cardiac amyloidosis cohorts found on EKG showed low-voltage QRS complexes, a pseudo-infarct pattern in precordial leads, and an absence of left ventricular hypertrophy on EKG. There is no single echocardiogram finding specific to cardiac amyloidosis. Patients will generally present with thickened ventricular walls, and nearly all patients will display a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction until later stages of disease. Strain imaging, either via 2D or 3D transthoracic echocardiogram, is more useful in screening for or detecting cardiac amyloidosis and should be utilized in this instance. Findings in cardiac amyloidosis include decreased global longitudinal strain and relative apical sparing.Conclusion:Overall, EKG and echocardiogram are effective, feasible, and practical tools to increase clinical suspicion for cardiac amyloidosis for the purposes of early recognition and evaluation. These are useful only to "rule in" a diagnosis. Future studies are needed to validate these findings.