Real-World Utilization, Barriers, and Factors Associated With the Targeted Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients in China: A Multi-Center, Hospital-Based Survey Study

Factors influencing clinical decision-making and health-related quality of life changes in colorectal cancer patients receiving targeted therapy: a multicenter study in China

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this paper is to assess the current clinical application of targeted therapy in colorectal cancer (CRC), identify factors influencing patients' acceptance of targeted therapy, and evaluate its impact of targeted therapy on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

METHODS

This study was based on a national multi-center survey. From March 2020 to March 2021, involved 19 tertiary hospitals across seven regions in China through multi-stage stratified sampling. CRC patients who underwent genetic testing participated. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics, disease knowledge, medical service utilization, medical expenditure, and HRQoL before and after treatment were collected through face-to-face interviews. Logistic regression identified factors affecting therapy acceptance, while the HRQoL changes in pre-and post-treatment were compared by the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

Among 1,468 eligible patients, 79.7% were aged 50+, 60% male, and 31.5% retired. Secondary education was the most common level (30.3%). A total of 62.7% of patients received targeted therapy. Multivariable analysis showed that metastasis at diagnosis, out-of-pocket expenses, and reimbursement ratio were positively associated with targeted therapy (P < 0.05), while initial diagnosis stage, region, and genetic testing reimbursement were negatively associated (P < 0.05). Post-therapy, patients' quality of life declined significantly (P < 0.001), especially in fatigue and financial burden.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed multiple factors influencing CRC patients' acceptance of targeted therapy and found that targeted therapy may adversely affect HRQoL. These findings emphasize the necessity of implementing more comprehensive patient management strategies to optimize the clinical application of targeted therapy and improve patients' quality of life.

Triplet chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab as first line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer: An AGEO multicenter real-world study

BACKGROUND

Prior trials validated triplet chemotherapy (Tri-CT) with bevacizumab as first line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) but real-world data are scarce and practices remain heterogeneous.

AIMS

To evaluate Tri-CT +/- bevacizumab efficacy and safety, and to identify factors influencing treatment decisions.

METHODS

The COLOTRIP retrospective study enrolled mCRC patients treated from 2014 to 2019 in 14 French centers.

RESULTS

Of 299 patients (81% PS 0-1, 58% RAS-mutated and 19% BRAF-mutated), 51% received Tri-CT and 49% Tri-CT + bevacizumab. Metastatic disease was classified as resectable (6.5%), potentially resectable (40%), and unresectable (54%). Bevacizumab use was associated with primary tumor location, mutational status and number of metastases. Median overall survival was 33.5 months in the Tri-CT group and 23.9 months in the Tri-CT + bevacizumab group, with median progression-free survival being 14.5 and 11.4 months. After adjusting for initial characteristics, no difference in survival was noted. Around 30% of patients experienced grade ≥3 adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights several factors influencing Tri-CT use +/- bevacizumab decision and confirms the real-world good oncological outcomes and tolerability of these regimens in mCRC patients. Our results suggest that Tri-CT alone may by an appropriate option for specific subgroups of patients.