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Hjermstad MJ, Pirnat A, Aass N, Andersen S, Astrup GL, Dajani O, Garresori H, Guldhav KV, Hamre H, Haukland EC, Jordal F, Lundeby T, Løhre ET, Mjåland S, Paulsen Ø, Semb KA, Staff ES, Wester T, Kaasa S. PALLiative care in ONcology (PALLiON): A cluster-randomised trial investigating the effect of palliative care on the use of anticancer treatment at the end of life. Palliat Med 2024; 38:229-239. [PMID: 38193250 PMCID: PMC10865754 DOI: 10.1177/02692163231222391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effects on anticancer therapy following the integration of palliative care and oncology are rarely investigated. Thus, its potential effect is unknown. AIM To investigate the effects of the complex intervention PALLiON versus usual care on end-of-life anticancer therapy. DESIGN Cluster-randomised controlled trial (RCT), registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT01362816). The complex intervention consisted of a physician education program enhancing theoretical, clinical and communication skills, a patient-centred care pathway and patient symptom reporting prior to all consultations. Primary outcome was overall use, start and cessation of anticancer therapy in the last 3 months before death. Secondary outcomes were patient-reported outcomes. Mixed effects logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazard were used. SETTING A total of 12 Norwegian hospitals (03/2017-02/2021). PARTICIPANTS Patients ⩾18 years, advanced stage solid tumour, starting last line of anticancer therapy, estimated life expectancy ⩽12 months. RESULTS A total of 616 (93%) patients were included (intervention: 309/control:307); 63% males, median age 69, 77% had gastrointestinal cancers. Median survival time from inclusion was 8 (IQR 3-14) and 7 months (IQR 3-12), and days between anticancer therapy start and death were 204 (90-378) and 168 (69-351) (intervention/control). Overall, 78 patients (13%) received anticancer therapy in the last month (intervention: 33 [11%]/control: 45 [15%]). No differences were found in patient-reported outcomes. CONCLUSION We found no significant differences in the probability of receiving end-of-life anticancer therapy. The intervention did not have the desired effect. It was probably too general and too focussed on communication skills to exert a substantial influence on conventional clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Jensen Hjermstad
- Regional Advisory Unit in Palliative Care, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Aleksandra Pirnat
- Regional Advisory Unit in Palliative Care, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nina Aass
- Regional Advisory Unit in Palliative Care, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sigve Andersen
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Guro L Astrup
- Regional Advisory Unit in Palliative Care, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Olav Dajani
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Herish Garresori
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Kristin V Guldhav
- Department of Oncology and Palliative Care, Førde Hospital Trust, Førde, Norway
| | - Hanne Hamre
- Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital, Akershus, Norway
| | - Ellinor C Haukland
- Department of Oncology and Palliative Care, Nordland Hospital Trust, Nordland, Norway
| | - Frode Jordal
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Østfold Hospital Trust, Østfold, Norway
| | - Tonje Lundeby
- Regional Advisory Unit in Palliative Care, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Erik Torbjorn Løhre
- Cancer Clinic, St. Olavs hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Svein Mjåland
- Center for Cancer Treatment, Sorlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Ørnulf Paulsen
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Palliative Care Unit, Telemark Hospital Trust, Skien, Norway
| | - Karin A Semb
- Department of Oncology and Palliative Care, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
| | - Erik S Staff
- Department of Oncology, Ålesund Hospital Trust, Ålesund, Norway
| | - Torunn Wester
- Regional Advisory Unit in Palliative Care, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stein Kaasa
- Regional Advisory Unit in Palliative Care, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Geyer T, Le NS, Groissenberger I, Jutz F, Tschurlovich L, Kreye G. Systemic Anticancer Treatment Near the End of Life: a Narrative Literature Review. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2023; 24:1328-1350. [PMID: 37501037 PMCID: PMC10547806 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-023-01115-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) includes different treatment modalities that can be effective in treating cancer. However, in the case of disease progression, cancers might become incurable and SACT might reach its limits. In the case of incurable cancers, SACT is often given in a palliative setting, with the goal of improving the patients' quality of life (QOL) and their survival. In contrast, especially for patients who approach end of life (EOL), such treatments might do more harm than good. Patients receiving EOL anticancer treatments often experience belated palliative care referrals. The use of systemic chemotherapy in patients with advanced cancer and poor prognosis approaching the EOL has been associated with significant toxicity and worse QOL compared to best supportive care. Therefore, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has discouraged this practice, and it is considered a metric of low-value care by Choosing Wisely (Schnipper et al. in J Clin Oncol 4;30(14):1715-24). Recommendations of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) suggest that especially chemotherapy and immunotherapy should be avoided in the last few weeks of the patients' lives. In this narrative review, we screened the current literature for the impact of SACT and factors predicting the use of SACT near the EOL with discussion on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Geyer
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Dr. Karl Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Nguyen-Son Le
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Dr. Karl Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Internal Medicine 2, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, University Hospital of Krems, Mitterweg 10, 3500 Krems an Der Donau, Austria
| | - Iris Groissenberger
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Dr. Karl Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Franziska Jutz
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Dr. Karl Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Lisa Tschurlovich
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Dr. Karl Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Gudrun Kreye
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Dr. Karl Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Internal Medicine 2, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, University Hospital of Krems, Mitterweg 10, 3500 Krems an Der Donau, Austria
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Matsumoto Y, Higuchi A, Shiba M, Sasaki K, Saiki T, Honma Y, Kimura K, Zhou Q, Saijo Y. Termination of Palliative Chemotherapy Near the End of Life: A Retrospective Study of Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients. Palliat Med Rep 2023; 4:169-174. [PMID: 37483881 PMCID: PMC10357107 DOI: 10.1089/pmr.2023.0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Palliative chemotherapy is commonly used for advanced cancer patients. The timing of chemotherapy termination is crucial for efforts to maintain quality of life. Patients and Methods This retrospective study included gastrointestinal cancer patients who were treated with chemotherapy and died between 2013 and 2022 at Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital. Data were reviewed regarding age, gender, cancer type, reason for chemotherapy termination, cause of death, survival after chemotherapy termination, and place of death. Results In total, 388 patients were included; the median survival after chemotherapy was 73 days. Patients aged <67 years had shorter survival durations (59 days), compared with patients aged >67 years (82 days). Ten (2.6%) patients began a new chemotherapy regimen, whereas 17 (4.4%) patients received chemotherapy, within 4 weeks before death. The most common reason for chemotherapy termination was disease progression, and most deaths occurred in hospitals. Conclusion The rates of chemotherapy and initiation of new chemotherapeutic regimens near the end of life were lower than previously reported. Most deaths occurred in hospitals, highlighting the need for development of hospices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Matsumoto
- Department of Medical Oncology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
- Palliative Care Team, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Akito Higuchi
- School of Medicine, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Marika Shiba
- School of Medicine, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kenta Sasaki
- Department of Medical Oncology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
- Palliative Care Team, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takuro Saiki
- Department of Medical Oncology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
- Palliative Care Team, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yujiro Honma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Kimura
- Department of Medical Oncology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
- Palliative Care Team, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Qiliang Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yasuo Saijo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
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Smith S, Brand M, Harden S, Briggs L, Leigh L, Brims F, Brooke M, Brunelli VN, Chia C, Dawkins P, Lawrenson R, Duffy M, Evans S, Leong T, Marshall H, Patel D, Pavlakis N, Philip J, Rankin N, Singhal N, Stone E, Tay R, Vinod S, Windsor M, Wright GM, Leong D, Zalcberg J, Stirling RG. Development of an Australia and New Zealand Lung Cancer Clinical Quality Registry: a protocol paper. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e060907. [PMID: 36038161 PMCID: PMC9438055 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-060907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality, comprising the largest national cancer disease burden in Australia and New Zealand. Regional reports identify substantial evidence-practice gaps, unwarranted variation from best practice, and variation in processes and outcomes of care between treating centres. The Australia and New Zealand Lung Cancer Registry (ANZLCR) will be developed as a Clinical Quality Registry to monitor the safety, quality and effectiveness of lung cancer care in Australia and New Zealand. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Patient participants will include all adults >18 years of age with a new diagnosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), SCLC, thymoma or mesothelioma. The ANZLCR will register confirmed diagnoses using opt-out consent. Data will address key patient, disease, management processes and outcomes reported as clinical quality indicators. Electronic data collection facilitated by local data collectors and local, state and federal data linkage will enhance completeness and accuracy. Data will be stored and maintained in a secure web-based data platform overseen by registry management. Central governance with binational representation from consumers, patients and carers, governance, administration, health department, health policy bodies, university research and healthcare workers will provide project oversight. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The ANZLCR has received national ethics approval under the National Mutual Acceptance scheme. Data will be routinely reported to participating sites describing performance against measures of agreed best practice and nationally to stakeholders including federal, state and territory departments of health. Local, regional and (bi)national benchmarks, augmented with online dashboard indicator reporting will enable local targeting of quality improvement efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantelle Smith
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Brand
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Susan Harden
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lisa Briggs
- Victorian Lung Cancer Registry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lillian Leigh
- Victorian Lung Cancer Registry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fraser Brims
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mark Brooke
- Lung Foundation Australia, Milton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Vanessa N Brunelli
- Faculty of Health, School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Collin Chia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Launceston General Hospital, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Paul Dawkins
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ross Lawrenson
- Waikato Medical Research Centre, University of Waikato, Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand
- Strategy and Funding, Waikato District Health Board, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Mary Duffy
- Lung Cancer Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sue Evans
- Victorian Cancer Registry, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tracy Leong
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Henry Marshall
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dainik Patel
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lyell McEwin Hospital, Elizabeth Vale, South Australia, Australia
| | - Nick Pavlakis
- Medical Oncology, Genesis Care and University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jennifer Philip
- Department of Medicine, Univ Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicole Rankin
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nimit Singhal
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Emily Stone
- School of Clinical Medicine, University NSW, Sydney, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca Tay
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Shalini Vinod
- Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Morgan Windsor
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Prince Charles and Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gavin M Wright
- Department of Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit, St Vincent, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Leong
- Department of Medical Oncology, John James Medical Centre Deakin, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - John Zalcberg
- Cancer Research Program, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rob G Stirling
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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