Oulu University Hospital, Vaasa Central Hospital and Elekta (Kaiku Health) have published the first scientific results from a study investigating the use of digital patient monitoring for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. The study was designed to investigate whether digital patient monitoring could enhance and personalize symptom management as well as improve patient follow-up and empowerment while simplifying care teams’ workflow.
In this multicenter trial, Kaiku Health digital patient monitoring platform was provided for CRC patients with advanced disease receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in the first- or second-line setting or as an adjuvant treatment. Patients received weekly reminders to report on their symptoms through the platform and the care team was notified in the presence of more severe symptoms or unfavorable development. In addition to patient monitoring, the platform was integrated to the laboratory information systems used in hospitals, which were used to provide semi-automated decision support for chemotherapy cycle prescription and individualized symptom management.
The results generated in the prospective study were compared to a retrospective cohort curated from the patient records at the same institutes. A specific adverse effect of interest in the study was peripheral sensory neuropathy – one of the most serious adverse effects of oxaliplatin, which may result in persistent symptoms leading to the deterioration of quality of life in cancer survivors.
In the study, earlier detection of peripheral sensory neuropathy (p = 1e−5), did not translate to earlier dose reduction, delays, or unplanned therapy termination compared to the retrospective cohort. In addition, the feasibility of the ePRO follow-up was found to be good with 98% of the patients reporting that the use of the platform was very easy or easy to use. Majority (86%) of the patients felt that the tool improved their cancer care, and 99% would recommend the platform to others.
“The study investigated a next generation ePRO platform with integration to other healthcare systems. We showed that the approach is technically feasible with good patient and HCP satisfaction. Furthermore, peripheral sensory neuropathy was detected significantly earlier in ePRO follow-up compared historical controls. The study highlights the expanding possibilities of using ePRO monitoring in cancer care.”
The article “ePRO symptom follow-up of colorectal cancer patients receiving oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy is feasible and enhances the quality of patient care: a prospective multicenter study ” was published in the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology. It is accessible here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00432-023-04622-4