CN57 - Patients, informal caregivers and healthcare professionals experience in adoptive cell therapies: An experience-based co-design study (EBCD-ACT)

Background

Adoptive cell therapy with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (ACT-TIL) is a rapidly growing strategy in the field of cancer therapies that relies on delivering specific autologous anti-tumor immune cells. While ACT-TIL entails a complex treatment procedure, the experience of care in this context remains understudied. Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD) positions patients as active partners together with healthcare professionals in services quality improvement. EBCD seeks to capture and understand how people experience a health service through the identification of emotional touchpoints - key moments that shape a person’s overall experience. We herein present the design of our study which aims to inform and improve the current delivery of supportive care during a Phase I-II clinical trial with ACT-TIL by examining the experiences and perspectives of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

Trial design

Following the EBCD methodological framework we will (1) observe clinical areas to map care trajectories, (2) interview patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals, (3) analyze and develop a trigger film highlighting themes from patients’ interviews, (4) conduct independent patients/caregivers/healthcare professionals’ feedback event (focus group), (5) conduct joint patients/caregivers/healthcare professionals’ workshop(s), (6) and a consensus meeting. Furthermore, as part of the setting-up stage and in order to enhance the pertinence and scientific quality of the results, an Advisory Board (AB) has been constituted to inform and support the research team in both the development and the identification of issues that might be relevant for the project. The AB includes national and international experts in ACT (oncologists and nurses), the heads of the different units involved, experts in psychiatry, humanities, and laboratory procedures, as well as a patient representative. Results of this innovative study will provide a list of recommendations on how to adapt care delivery within early phases clinical trial of ACT-TIL.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

N. Canova.

Funding

ISREC/Ligue vaudoise contre le cancer/Ligue suisse contre le cancer.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.