The prevalence of end-of-life chemotherapy and targeted therapy in Japan, assessed using a health claims database

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the current status of end-of-life chemotherapy and targeted therapy and explore the aggressiveness of end-of-life care in Japan using the DeSC database, a large administrative claims database.

METHODS

We identified fatal cases of at least one cancer-related diagnosis between April 2015 and November 2020. Patients prescribed at least one anticancer drug were analyzed, and chemotherapy regimens were categorized based on the combination of concomitant anticancer drugs prescribed.

RESULTS

Among 1,095,713 individuals enrolled in the National Health Insurance database, 7,300 deaths with cancer-related diagnosis were identified. Of these, 4,010 cases were identified in which at least one anticancer drug was prescribed, and 11.6% of 7,300 death had been prescribed anticancer drugs in their last 30 days of life. The most commonly used regimen was S-1 (tegafur, gimeracil, and oteracil potassium combination) monotherapy, followed by nivolumab monotherapy and nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine. Immune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy was more likely prescribed to patients whose last chemotherapy dose was in the last 30 days of life (p = 0.0066, chi-squared test).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides insights into the current status of end-of-life chemotherapy and targeted therapy in Japan, using a large administrative claims database. The results of this study will inform future research on end-of-life chemotherapy and targeted therapy, and help develop strategies to improve the quality of life of patients with advanced cancer.

Administration of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Near the End of Life

PURPOSE

Recent literature suggests an increasing use of systemic treatment in patients with advanced cancer near the end of life (EOL), partially driven by the increasing adoption of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). While studies have identified this trend, additional variables associated with ICI use at EOL are limited. Our aim was to characterize a population of patients who received a dose of ICI in the last 30 days of life.

METHODS

We performed a manual retrospective chart review of patients ≥ 18 years who died within 30 days of receiving a dose of ICI. Metrics such as Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS), number of ICI doses, need for hospitalization, and numerous other variables were evaluated.

RESULTS

Over a 4-year time period, 97 patients received an ICI at EOL. For 40% of patients, the ICI given in the 30 days before death was their only dose. Over 50% of patients had an ECOG PS of ≥ 2, including 17% of patients with an ECOG PS of 3. Over 60% were hospitalized, 65% visited the emergency department, 20% required intensive care unit admission, and 25% died in the hospital.

CONCLUSION

Our study contributes to the ongoing literature regarding the risks and benefits of ICI use in patients with advanced cancer near the EOL. While accurate predictions regarding the EOL are challenging, oncologists may routinely use clinical factors such as ECOG PS along with patient preferences to guide recommendations and shared decision making. Ultimately, further follow-up studies to better characterize and prognosticate this population of patients are needed.

A Multicenter Retrospective Review of Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment and Palliative Care Provided to Solid Tumor Oncology Patients in the 12 Weeks Preceding Death in Ireland

Background:

Systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT) can improve symptoms and survival in patients with incurable cancer but there may be harmful consequences. Information regarding the use of SACT at the end-of-life and its impact on patients has not been described in Ireland.

Aims:

The study aimed to quantify and describe the use of SACT at end-of-life. The primary outcome of interest was the number of patients who received treatment in the last 12, 4 and 2 weeks of life. Secondary outcomes included the frequency of admissions and procedures, location of death, and timing of specialist palliative care (SPC) referral.

Methods:

Retrospective review. Fisher exact testing was used for analyses. Patients were included if they died between January 2015 and July 2017 and received at least 1 dose of treatment for a solid tumor malignancy.

Results:

Five hundred and eighty two patients were included. Three hundred and thirty eight (58%), 128 (22%) and 36 (6%) received treatment in the last 12, 4 and 2 weeks of life respectively. Patients who received chemotherapy in the last 12 weeks of life were more likely to be admitted to hospital, undergo a procedure, and die in hospital than those who did not (P < 0.001 for all). Median time of SPC referral before death was shorter in those patients who received chemotherapy than those who did not (61 v129 days, p = 0.0001).

Conclusion:

Patients who received chemotherapy had a higher likelihood of hospital admission, invasive procedure, and in-hospital death. They were less likely to have been referred early to SPC services.

Aggressiveness of end-of-life cancer care: what happens in clinical practice?

PURPOSE

End-of-life cancer care varies widely, and very few centers evaluate it systematically. Our objective was to assess indicators of the aggressiveness of end-of-life cancer care in clinical practice.

METHODS

An observational, longitudinal, and retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary hospital. Eligible patients were at least 18 years old, had a solid tumor, were followed up by the Oncology Department, and had died because of cancer or associated complications during 2017. We used the criteria of Earle et al. (J Clin Oncol 21(6):1133-1138, 2003) to assess the aggressiveness of care. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to characterize factors associated with aggressiveness of therapy.

RESULTS

The study population comprised 684 patients. Eighty-eight patients (12.9%) received anti-cancer treatment during the last 14 days of their lives, and 62 patients (9.1%) started a new treatment line in the last 30 days. During the last month of life, 102 patients (14.9%) visited the ER, 80 patients (11.7%) were hospitalized more than once, and 26 (3.8%) were admitted to the ICU. A total of 326 patients (47.7%) died in the acute care unit. A total of 417 patients (61.0%) were followed by the Palliative Care Unit, and in 54 cases (13.0%), this care started during the last 3 days of life.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of anti-cancer therapies and health care services in our clinical practice, except for the ICU, did not meet the Earle criteria for high-quality care. Concerning hospice care, more than half of the patients received hospice services before death, although in some cases, this care started close to the time of death.

Lung cancer and end-of-life care: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of aggressive inpatient care

OBJECTIVES

Despite recent advances in thoracic oncology, most patients with metastatic lung cancer die within months of diagnosis. Aggressiveness of their end-of-life (EOL) care has been the subject of numerous studies. This study was undertaken to evaluate the literature on aggressive inpatient EOL care for lung cancer and analyse the evolution of its aggressiveness over time.

METHODS

A systematic international literature search restricted to English-language publications used terms associated with aggressiveness of care, EOL and their synonyms. Two independent researchers screened for eligibility and extracted all data and another a random 10% sample of the abstracts. Electronic Medline and Embase databases were searched (2000-20 September 2018). EOL-care aggressiveness was defined as follows: 1) chemotherapy administered during the last 14 days of life (DOL) or new chemotherapy regimen during the last 30 DOL; 2) >2 emergency department visits; 3) >1 hospitalisation during the last 30 DOL; 4) ICU admission during the last 30 DOL and 5) palliative care started <3 days before death.

RESULTS

Among the 150 articles identified, 42 were retained for review: 1 clinical trial, 3 observational cohorts, 21 retrospective analyses and 17 administrative data-based studies. The percentage of patients subjected to aggressive therapy seems to have increased over time. Early management by palliative care teams seems to limit aggressive care.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis indicated very frequent aggressive EOL care for patients with lung cancer, regardless of the definition used. The extent of that aggressiveness and its impact on healthcare costs warrant further studies.

End-of-life chemotherapy is associated with poor survival and aggressive care in patients with small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Concerns regarding end-of-life (EOL) chemotherapy are being increasingly raised. Tumor chemosensitivity may influence the decision for aggressive chemotherapy near the EOL. Data on EOL chemotherapy in highly chemosensitive tumors, such as small cell lung cancer (SCLC), are scarce.

METHOD

A total of 143 SCLC decedents were consecutively included. Data about clinical factors and treatment modalities were obtained from the electronic medical records. The relationships among EOL chemotherapy, clinical features, overall survival (OS), and aggressive care were investigated.

RESULTS

About 64% of patients had chemosensitive disease. In total, 30.8 and 16.1% of patients received EOL chemotherapy within the last 1 and 2 months of life, respectively. Younger age was associated with a higher rate of EOL chemotherapy. We determined that EOL chemotherapy was related to inferior OS not only in the entire group, but also in the chemosensitive subgroup. Furthermore, more intensive care was observed among patients who underwent EOL chemotherapy compared with those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

EOL chemotherapy was correlated with shorter survival and more aggressive care in patients with SCLC. More research is needed to develop indications for terminating palliative chemotherapy, to help physicians and patients with their difficult choices.

Retrospective Analysis on the Management of Metastatic Gastric Cancer Patients. A Mono-institutional Experience. What happens in Clinical Practice?

Aims and background

Few studies show what happens outside of randomized clinical trials. The purpose of the study was to describe the clinical management of metastatic gastric cancer patients resident in the Forlì area from 2000 to 2009.

Methods and study design

A total of 270 metastatic gastric cancer patients at diagnosis or relapse were considered. Data from medical records were analysed, and survival probabilities were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

A total of 115 patients received best supportive care, 155 at least one line of chemotherapy, 71 (45.8%) underwent second-line therapy, and 49 (31.6%) required a drug dose reduction during the first cycle of first-line therapy. Twelve (7.7%) patients died within 15 days of finishing the last chemotherapy. Median overall survival with best supportive care or chemotherapy was 3 months (95% CI, 2–4) and 11 months (95% CI, 9–12) (P <0.0001), respectively.

Conclusions

Drug dose reductions and delivery of second-line therapy were common. Chemotherapy given towards the end of life was similar to other experiences. Median overall survival was similar to randomized clinical trials.

Use of Palliative Chemo- and Radiotherapy at the End of Life in Patients With Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Administration of chemotherapy and radiotherapy near the end of life is a frequently discussed issue nowadays. We have evaluated the factors associated with the use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the end of life among terminally ill patients in China.

METHODS

This study included the data from patients who had died from advanced cancer who underwent palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy between January 2007 and December 2013 at the Department of Palliative Care of Fudan University, Shanghai Cancer Center. Data were collected from hospital medical records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify the factors independently associated with the use of chemo- and radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Among the 410 patients included (median age, 68 years; range, 18-93; 53% males), 47 (11.5%) underwent palliative chemotherapy and 28 (6.8%) underwent radiotherapy in the last 30 days. Age <65 years (odds ratio [OR]: 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-2.88), performance status <3 (OR: 3.95; 95% CI: 1.56-5.07), and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (OR: 4.09, 95% CI: 2.66-5.34) were independently associated with the use of chemotherapy. Performance status <3 (OR: 4.06, 95% CI: 2.17-5.83) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (OR: 5.28, 95% CI: 3.77-7.21) were independently associated with the use of radiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that younger patients with a lower performance status who do not have complications are more likely to opt for chemo- or radiotherapy. Further, the use of palliative chemo- and radiotherapy should be considered carefully in terminally ill patients with cancer, as they seem to indicate a higher risk of cardiovascular complications requiring resuscitation.

Withdrawal of anticancer therapy in advanced disease: a systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines set out when to start anticancer treatments, but not when to stop as the end of life approaches. Conventional cytotoxic agents are administered intravenously and have major life-threatening toxicities. Newer drugs include molecular targeted agents (MTAs), in particular, small molecule kinase-inhibitors (KIs), which are administered orally. These have fewer life-threatening toxicities, and are increasingly used to palliate advanced cancer, generally offering additional months of survival benefit. MTAs are substantially more expensive, between £2-8 K per month, and perceived as easier to start than stop.

METHODS

A systematic review of decision-making concerning the withdrawal of anticancer drugs towards the end of life within clinical practice, with a particular focus on MTAs. Nine electronic databases searched. PRISMA guidelines followed.

RESULTS

Forty-two studies included. How are decisions made? Decision-making was shared and ongoing, including stopping, starting and trying different treatments. Oncologists often experienced 'professional role dissonance' between their self-perception as 'treaters', and talking about end of life care. Why are decisions made? Clinical factors: disease progression, worsening functional status, treatment side-effects. Non-clinical factors: physicians' personal experience, values, emotions. Some patients continued treatment to maintain 'hope', often reflecting limited understanding of palliative goals. When are decisions made? Limited evidence reveals patients' decisions based upon quality of life benefits. Clinicians found timing withdrawal particularly challenging. Who makes the decisions? Decisions were based within physician-patient interaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Oncologists report that decisions around stopping chemotherapy treatment are challenging, with limited evidence-based guidance outside of clinical trial protocols. The increasing availability of oral MTAs is transforming the management of incurable cancer; blurring boundaries between active treatment and palliative care. No studies specifically addressing decision-making around stopping MTAs in clinical practice were identified. There is a need to develop an evidence base to support physicians and patients with decision-making around the withdrawal of these high cost treatments.

[Chemotherapy at the end of life for patients with lung cancer. A practice analysis]

RATIONALE

Few studies have analyzed the aggressiveness of the care (continuation of active treatments) at the end of life in patients with lung cancer. The objective of this study was to assess practices in this setting in a university department of respiratory medicine.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study has consecutively included all patients who were managed for lung cancer and died over a period of 18 months. The analysis focused on the characteristics of the patients, the modalities of cancer treatment and the delays between the last active treatment and death.

RESULTS

The overall median survival of the 94 patients included was 9.6 months; 92% of patients having received at least one active treatment. During the 4 and 2 weeks periods preceding death, respectively 55% and 22% of the patients received active treatments. The median time between the last day of active treatment and death was 27 days.

CONCLUSION

These results, in concordance with the published data, showed that end of life active treatment in patients with lung cancer is a complex problem. We need prospective multicentric studies, with testing tools allowing better sharing of the decisions on active treatment between the medical team, the patient and his family.

Characterization of patients receiving palliative chemo- and radiotherapy during end of life at a regional cancer center in Norway

BACKGROUND

Many cancer patients receive chemotherapy and radiotherapy their last 30 days [end of life (EOL)]. The benefit is questionable and side effects are common. The aim of this study was to investigate what characterized the patients who received chemo- and radiotherapy during EOL, knowledge that might be used to improve practice.

METHODS

Patients dead from cancer in 2005 and 2009 were analyzed. Data were collected from hospital medical records. When performance status (PS) was not stated, PS was estimated from other information in the records. A Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) of 0, 1 or 2 was assessed from blood values (CRP and albumin). A higher score is associated with a shorter prognosis.

RESULTS

In total 616 patients died in 2005; 599 in 2009. Among the 723 analyzed, median age was 71; 42% had metastases at diagnosis (synchronous metastases); 53% had PS 2 and 16% PS 3-4 at the start of last cancer therapy. GPS at the start of last cancer therapy was assessable in 70%; of these, 26% had GPS 1 and 35% GPS 2. Overall, 10% received chemotherapy and 8% radiotherapy during EOL. The proportions varied significantly between the different types of cancer. Multivariate analyses revealed that those at age<70 years, GPS 2, no contact with our Palliative Care Unit and synchronous metastases received most chemotherapy the last 30 days. PS 3-4, GPS 2 and synchronous metastases were strongest associated with radiotherapy the last 30 days.

CONCLUSION

Ten percent received chemotherapy and 8% radiotherapy the last 30 days of life. GPS 2 and synchronous metastases were most significantly associated with cancer therapy the last 30 days of life, indicating that in general, patients with the shortest survival time after diagnosis of cancer received more chemo- and radiotherapy during EOL than other patients.

Investigational tests and treatments performed in terminal stage cancer patients in two weeks before death: Turkish oncology group (TOG) study

Although more palliative care is necessary for terminally ill cancer patients, excess investigational tests, invasive procedures, and treatments are given instead. Between November 2009 and December 2013, six hundred and twenty-four patients with end-stage cancer who were died at inpatient setting evaluated retrospectively. Patients' characteristics, sites of tumor and metastasis, tests and invasive procedures, treatments performed in the last 2 weeks before death were collected from the hospital files and analyzed. Median age of 624 patients was 58 (range 16-96) years. More than half of the patients (370, 59.3%) were men. The most frequent cancer sites were gastrointestinal (GI) system (32.2%), lung (24.0%), and breast (11.1%). Frequent metastatic sites were liver (34.8%), bone (31.5%), lung (23.3%), and/or brain (16.9%). Causes of death were respiratory failure, infections, and/or liver failure in 49.9, 23.9, and 19.4% of patients, respectively. Radiological tests performed in the last 2 weeks before death were ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, bone scan in 25.6, 16.3, 11.4, and 3.8% of patients, respectively. Treatments received were intravenous (i.v) serum infusion, blood transfusion, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), human albumin infusion in 55.9, 44.1, 34.9, and 9.5% of patients, respectively. Invasive procedures such as invasive pain relief, terminal sedation, and chemotherapy performed in 12.6, 4.4, and 10.0% of patients, respectively. Central venous catheter application, paracentesis, thoracentesis, and GI endoscopy were applied in 41.7, 9.8, 5.6, and 3.4% of the patients, respectively. Radiological tests, invasive procedures, TPN, and human albumin transfusion were used excessively in terminal stage cancer patients in our medical oncology inpatient clinics. Invasive pain relief and terminal sedation were still underused in our cancer clinics. There is an urgent need in developing national palliative care program to improve the understanding of end-of-life care in our medical oncology clinics.

Use of chemotherapy at the end of life in Turkey

Background

An increasing number of patients receive palliative chemotherapy near the end of life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the aggressiveness of chemotherapy in Turkish individuals near the end of life.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with solid tumors and died from 2010 to 2011 in the medical oncology department of Akdeniz University were included in the study. Data about the diagnosis, treatment details and imaging procedures were collected.

Results

Three hundred and seventy-three people with stage IV solid tumors died from 2010 to 2011 in our clinic. Eighty-nine patients (23.9%) patients underwent chemotherapy in the last month of life while 39 patients (10.5%) received chemotherapy in the last 14 days. The probability of undergoing chemotherapy in the last month of life was influenced by: age, ‘newly diagnosed’ patients, and performance status. There was no significant association of chemotherapy in the last month of life with gender and tumor type. Having a PET-CT scan did not alter the chemotherapy decision.

Conclusion

In conclusion, chemotherapy used in the last month of life in a tertiary care center of Turkey is high. Increasing quality of life should be a priority near the end of life and physicians should consider ceasing chemotherapy and direct the patient to early palliative care.

Challenging situations when administering palliative chemotherapy - a nursing perspective

Palliative chemotherapy treatments (PCT) are becoming more common for patients with incurable cancer; a basic challenge is to optimize tumour response while minimizing side-effects and harm. As registered nurses most often administer PCT, they are most likely to be confronted with difficult situations during PCT administration. This study explores challenging situations experienced by nurses when administering PCT to patients with incurable cancer.

METHODS

Registered nurses experienced in administering PCT were asked in interviews to recall PCT situations they found challenging. Inspired by the narrative tradition, stories were elicited and analysed using a structural and thematic narrative analysis.

RESULTS

A total of twenty-eight stories were narrated by seventeen nurses. Twenty of these were dilemmas that could be sorted into three storylines containing one to three dilemmatic situations each. The six dilemmatic situations broadly related to three interwoven areas: the uncertainty of the outcome when giving potent drugs to vulnerable patients; the difficulty of resisting giving PCT to patients who want it; and insufficient communication between nurses and physician.

CONCLUSION

Nurses who administer PCT are engaged in a complex task that can give rise to a number of dilemmatic situations. The findings may be interpreted as meaning that at least some situations might be preventable if the knowledge and insight of all team members - nurses, physicians, patients, and relatives - are jointly communicated and taken into account when deciding whether or not to give PCT. Forming palliative care teams early in the PCT trajectory, could be beneficial for staff and patients.

Narrative Literature and Cancer: Improving the Doctor-Patient Relationship

The role of classical literature on the subject of pain and suffering in cancer and other serious illnesses, not only from the point of view of patients but also of hospital personnel, family, friends and family doctors, has not been deeply exploited to favor the human and professional experience of young and not so young oncologists. This manuscript is the result of an effort made by postgraduate students and faculty members at the School of Oncology at Parma University to review the literature on this subject. The aim of our work is to convey the message that before teaching relationship techniques it is important to instill a culture focused on the doctor-patient relationship. Classical literature can make an important contribution to awareness in this area.

Chemotherapy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: too close to death?

PURPOSE

We evaluated the attitude in using chemotherapy near the end of life in advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC). Clinical and laboratory parameters recorded at last chemotherapy administration were analyzed, in order to identify risk factors for imminent death.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent at least one line of palliative chemotherapy was made. Data concerning chemotherapy (regimens, lines, and date of last administration) were collected. Clinical and laboratory factors recorded at last chemotherapy administration were: performance status, presence of ascites, hemoglobin, white blood cell (WBC), platelets, total bilirubin, albumin, LDH, C-reactive protein (C-rp), and Ca 19.9.

RESULTS

We analyzed 231 patients: males/females, 53/47 %; metastatic/locally advanced disease, 80/20 %; and median age, 66 years (range 32-85). All patients died due to disease progression. Median overall survival was 6.1 months (95 % CI 5.1-7.2). At the last chemotherapy delivery, performance status was 0-1 in 37 % and 2 in 63 %. Fifty-nine percent of patients received one chemotherapy line, while 32, 8, and 1 % had second-, third-, and fourth line, respectively. The interval between last chemotherapy administration and death was <4 weeks in 24 %, ≥4-12 in 47 %, and >12 in 29 %. Median survival from last chemotherapy to death was 7.5 weeks (95 % CI 6.7-8.4). In a univariate analysis, ascites, elevated WBC, bilirubin, LDH, C-rp and Ca 19.9, and reduced albumin were found to predict shorter survival; however, none of them remained significant in a multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant proportion of patients with advanced PAC received chemotherapy within the last month of life. The clinical and laboratory parameters recorded at last chemotherapy delivery did not predict shorter survival.