The power of hope: Views of Ovarian Cancer patients on how maintenance therapy Affects their Lives (VOCAL)

Aim: To assess maintenance preference and trade-offs for patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods: Patients completed a time trade-off exercise ranking five maintenance approaches. Patients' preferred approach was compared with alternatives to determine the progression-free time they would trade off to remain on their preferred approach. Results: Of 152 patients (median age 53 years, 68% White), 56% chose one of four maintenance medications, mostly to feel proactive and 44% chose active surveillance. Compared with their preferred approach, patients were willing to trade a mean progression-free time before switching of 2.3 months for once-daily oral medications, 3.2 months for twice-daily oral medications, 5.5 months for intravenous infusions every 3 weeks (iv. q3), 6.1 months for active surveillance and 7.5 months for iv. q3 and twice-daily oral. Conclusion: Findings highlight the importance of patients' awareness of all maintenance approaches and involving them in the decision-making process. What is the article about?The VOCAL study looked at maintenance approach preferences of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Maintenance approach refers to the methods used after a patient has completed their initial chemotherapy to prevent disease progression for as long as possible. US patients completed an online survey, ranking five different maintenance approaches:No medication (active surveillance);Once-daily oral medication (e.g. pills);Twice-daily oral medication;Medication by intravenous infusion every 3 weeks;Medication by intravenous infusion every 3 weeks and oral twice-daily.Patients were asked to assume the same time to disease progression for all five approaches and the same side effects for the four approaches involving medications (2-5). Each patient then indicated how much time to disease progression they were willing to trade off to remain on their preferred approach before switching to an alternative.What is the article about?The VOCAL study looked at maintenance approach preferences of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Maintenance approach refers to the methods used after a patient has completed their initial chemotherapy to prevent disease progression for as long as possible. US patients completed an online survey, ranking five different maintenance approaches:No medication (active surveillance);Once-daily oral medication (e.g. pills);Twice-daily oral medication;Medication by intravenous infusion every 3 weeks;Medication by intravenous infusion every 3 weeks and oral twice-daily.Patients were asked to assume the same time to disease progression for all five approaches and the same side effects for the four approaches involving medications (2-5). Each patient then indicated how much time to disease progression they were willing to trade off to remain on their preferred approach before switching to an alternative.What were the results?Overall, 152 patients completed the survey (median age: 53 years, 68% White). Most patients preferred a medication approach (56%, n = 85) to active surveillance (44%, n = 67). Of the 85 patients who preferred medication, 66% (n = 56) reported this was to feel proactive in preventing their cancer returning. Once-daily oral medication was the most acceptable alternative to the patients' preferred maintenance approach, given they were willing to trade the least 'disease-free' time (2.3 months) before accepting a switch.What do the results mean?Individual patient preferences vary, and healthcare professionals should work with patients to determine which approach is most appropriate for them.