Fear of cancer recurrence in young women 5 years after diagnosis with a good-prognosis cancer: the VICAN-5 national survey

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of iConquerFear: a self-guided digital intervention for fear of cancer recurrence

PURPOSE

Approximately 50% of cancer survivors experience moderate-severe fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). Self-guided digital interventions have potential to address the high level of FCR-related unmet needs at scale, but existing digital interventions have demonstrated variable engagement and efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of iConquerFear, a five-module self-guided digital FCR intervention.

METHODS

Eligible curatively treated breast cancer survivors were recruited. Participants reporting clinically significant FCR (≥ 13 on the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form; FCRI-SF) were given access to iConquerFear. Feasibility was indicated by > 50% of eligible participants enrolling in iConquerFear and recording moderate (≥ 120 min) or greater usage. Preliminary efficacy was evaluated via changes in self-reported FCR severity, anxiety, depression, intrusions and metacognitions from baseline to immediately and 3 months post-intervention.

RESULTS

Fifty-four (83%) of 65 eligible participants enrolled in iConquerFear; six subsequently withdrew. Thirty-nine (83%) participants recorded moderate (n = 24; 120-599 min) or high (n = 15; ≥ 600 min) usage. Engagement levels increased with participant age (p = 0.043), but were lower in participants with higher baseline FCR (p = 0.028). Qualitative feedback indicated engagement was sometimes limited by difficulties with navigation and relating to featured survivors. Participants reported significantly improved FCR (mean reduction (95%CI): baseline to post-intervention - 3.44 (- 5.18, - 1.71), baseline to 3-month follow-up - 4.52 (- 6.25, - 2.78), p =  < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

iConquerFear is a feasible and potentially efficacious intervention for reducing FCR in breast cancer survivors. Easier navigation and more relatable examples may enhance engagement.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

iConquerFear may help address moderate but burdensome FCR levels in cancer survivors.

Comprehensive pan‑cancer analysis of potassium voltage-gated channel Q4 (KCNQ4) gene across multiple human malignant tumors

A large number of studies indicate that Potassium Voltage-Gated Channel Q4 (KCNQ4) gene is the cause of non-syndromic hearing loss, but there are few studies investigating the role of KCNQ4 in cancers and scarcity of comprehensive analysis of its involvement in the diagnosis, methylation, mutation, prognosis of various cancer types. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the anticancerous and immune effects of KCNQ4 in various cancers and its potential value in breast cancer. In this study, we explored the potential role of KCNQ4 in cancers using public databases and the R software for bioinformatics analysis. The results showed that the low expression of KCNQ4 across specific cancer types was positively associated with low mutation frequency and methylation, and the improved survival. Eight small molecule compounds were identified that could potentially target KCNQ4. In addition, immunohistochemistry confirmed that the KCNQ4 expression was low in breast cancer. In vitro experiments confirmed that overexpression of KCNQ4 inhibited cell migration and invasion and promoted apoptosis. In summary, our comprehensive pan-cancer analysis highlights the potential of KCNQ4 as a cancer marker, and can be used as an auxiliary prognostic indicator and an indicator for immunotherapy in certain tumor types.