Patient Knowledge, Attitudes, And Expectations Of Cancer Immunotherapies.

e18551 Background: Cancer immunotherapy drugs are now approved to treat many types of cancer. Little is known about patient knowledge, attitudes, and expectations of cancer immunotherapies. Methods: A 28-item self-administered questionnaire was developed by a multidisciplinary panel and pre-tested on 7 cancer patients. The questionnaire included a 12-item knowledge test on general knowledge of the immune system and cancer immunotherapies. Participants were asked about their attitudes, expectations, and sources of information consulted to learn about immunotherapies. Patients were eligible if ≥ 18 years of age, any stage of cancer, and fluent in English. Participants were recruited from ambulatory clinics at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Results: Of 108 cancer patients recruited from May to August 2017, 63% were female and the median age was 60 years (range 24-79). Participants were well educated, with 75% reporting post-secondary education. Tumor types included 39% breast, 19% genitourinary, 17% gastrointestinal, 10% lung, and 15% other. Of the total sample, 75% had no prior immunotherapy and 33% had previously participated in a clinical trial. The mean knowledge score was 6.4 (54%) ± 2.8, and 76% of participants expressed an overall favorable attitude towards immunotherapies (≥5 rating out of 7-point Likert scale). In multivariate analysis, participants who scored higher on the knowledge test had favorable attitudes (p= 0.01), prior immunotherapy treatment (p= 0.04), and previously discussed immunotherapy with a healthcare provider (HCP) (p= 0.04). If given the choice, 12% of participants would stop current standard treatment to start experimental immunotherapy. The Internet (44%) and HCP (40%) were the most common sources of information consulted to learn about immunotherapies. Conclusions: Patient knowledge of cancer immunotherapies is limited, although their attitudes are generally favourable and their expectations are high. Patient education should be prioritized along with the development of novel cancer immunotherapy treatments.