Search

Abstract: Ensuring adherence to therapy is a challenge in chronic diseases, particularly in cancers such as chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), where there has been increased availability and use of oral formulations. A conceptual model of adherence was developed based on findings from a comprehensive literature review, to inform strategies for improving adherence to oral CML therapies. A complex interplay of factors (including clinical, psychological and behavioural) influence adherence to such therapies. Healthcare professionals have a key role in promoting and facilitating adherence and future strategies should place greater emphasis on understanding patient-level experiences in order to create personalized solutions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a progressive plasma cell malignancy, with a range of clinical features including bone lesions, renal insufficiency, anaemia, and hypercalcaemia. Novel agents have significantly improved patient survival, however most patients will suffer multiple relapses. Although clinical challenges and economic costs of relapse are recognised, the psychological impact of relapse is not fully appreciated. Additionally, there is little information on how physicians perceive the impact of relapse on their patients’ emotional state and how this might affect patient management. Through face-to-face interviews with 50 relapsed and/or refractory MM patients and 30 haematologists across ten countries, we have used real-world evidence to explore and characterise the burden of living with MM, particularly the impact of relapsed disease. This exploratory study illustrates the impact of the disease on friends and family, and the physical and emotional burden experienced by the patient resulting from both MM and its treatment. Haematologists feel poorly equipped to deal with the emotional aspects of patient relapse, lacking the time and resources to adequately deal with these issues. Focused educational and support tools/resources targeted at both physicians and patients are required to facilitate physician–patient communication to help reduce the emotional burden of living with MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and background With the recent emergence of immunotherapies and novel targeted treatments for advanced and metastatic melanoma such as selective B-Raf inhibitors and checkpoint inhibitors, the treatment landscape in Europe has changed considerably. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of current treatment pathways in Europe for the treatment of advanced melanoma, unresectable stage III–IV. Methods A literature search of four databases was conducted to identify publications reporting on the treatment patterns of advanced and metastatic melanoma (stage III–IV) in European populations. Results Seven full-text publications and two conference abstracts reported on observational studies of melanoma treatment practices in France, Italy and the United Kingdom. Treatment patterns were identified for two time periods: 2005–2009 and 2011–2012. Common treatments reported for both periods included chemotherapy with dacarbazine, fotemustine or temozolomide. The main differences between the two periods were the introduction and prescription of immunotherapy ipilimumab and targeted therapy vemurafenib between 2011 and 2012. Across the three countries studied, the types of treatments prescribed between 2005 and 2009 were relatively similar, however, with noticeable differences in the frequency and priority of administration. Conclusion Treatment practices for advanced melanoma vary markedly across different European countries and continue to evolve with the introduction of new therapies. The results of this review highlight a considerable evidence gap with regards to recent treatment patterns for advanced melanoma in Europe, especially post-2011 after the introduction of novel therapeutic agents, and more recently with the introduction of programmed cell death 1 inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]