Fertility Preservation: Improving Access Through Nurse-Advocated Financial Assistance

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell infusion for large B-cell lymphoma in complete remission: a center for international blood and marrow transplant research analysis

CD19 CAR T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is commonly administered to patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphomas (LBCL), but salvage or bridging therapy can sometimes lead to a complete response (CR) prior to infusion. Limited studies have assessed the outcomes of patients infused in CR. A total of 134 patients with LBCL in CR prior to CAR-T infusion were identified from the CIBMTR registry, with median prior lines of therapy of 3 (range 2-9). At two years post-infusion, the probability of progression-free survival was 43.5% (95% CI 34.4-52.8) and the probability of overall survival was 63.8% (95% CI 54.4-72.6). The cumulative incidence rates of non-relapse mortality and relapse/progression at two years were 9.2% (95% CI 4.5-15.4) and 47.3% (95% CI 38.2-56.6), respectively. The rate of grade 3 or higher cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) were 2.2% and 8.2%, respectively. In summary, CAR-T in heavily pretreated patients with LBCL who are in CR following two or more lines of prior therapy demonstrate that a subset of patients may remain free of progression at two years. Additionally, the toxicity profile was impressive with very low rates of grade 3 CRS and ICANS.

Banking on Fertility Preservation: Financial Concern for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients Considering Oncofertility Services

Purpose: Financial concern is a major issue for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients. Furthermore, unaddressed oncofertility challenges (e.g., infertility) are linked to psychological distress and decreased overall quality of life. Little is known about how financial concern in terms of oncofertility (i.e., concern regarding affording fertility preservation [FP] services) impacts AYAs' decision making and experiences. Methods: AYA cancer patients (n = 27) aged 12-25 years whose cancer treatment conferred risk of infertility were recruited through electronic health record query. Participants completed semi-structured interviews, which were recorded, transcribed, and deductively coded for themes related to information needs, knowledge of treatment effects on fertility, and reproductive concerns after cancer. Emergent, inductive themes related to financial concern were identified. The Institutional Review Board at the University of Michigan approved this study (HUM#00157267). Results: Financial concern was a dominant theme across the qualitative data. Emergent themes included (1) varied access to health insurance, (2) presence of parental/guardian support, (3) reliance upon financial aid, (4) negotiating infertility risk, and (5) lack of preparation for long-term costs. AYAs relied heavily upon parents for out-of-pocket and insurance coverage support. Some participants sought financial aid when guided by providers. Several participants indicated that no financial support existed for their circumstance. Conclusions: Financial consequences in terms of oncofertility are a major issue affecting AYA cancer patients. The incidence and gravity of financial concern surrounding affording oncofertility services merits attention in future research (measuring financial resources of AYAs' parental/support networks), clinical practice (strategically addressing short- and long-term costs; tailored psychosocial support), and health care policy (promoting legislation to mandate pre- and post-treatment FP coverage).

In Vitro Gametogenesis in Oncofertility: A Review of Its Potential Use and Present-Day Challenges in Moving toward Fertility Preservation and Restoration

Current fertility preservation options are limited for cancer survivor patients who wish to have their own biological children. Human in vitro gametogenesis (IVG) has the hypothetical ability to offer a unique solution to individuals receiving treatment for cancer which subsequently shortens their reproductive lifespan. Through a simple skin punch biopsy, a patient's fertility could be restored via reprogramming of dermal fibroblast cells to induced pluripotent stem cells, then from primordial germ cell-like cells into viable oocytes and spermatocytes which could be used for embryogenesis. Induced pluripotent stem cells could also be used to form in vitro environments, similar to the ovary or testes, necessary for the maturation of oogonia. This would allow for the entire creation of embryos outside the body, ex vivo. While this area in stem cell biology research offers the potential to revolutionize reproduction as we know it, there are many critical barriers, both scientific and ethical, that need to be overcome to one day see this technology utilized clinically.

Financial Toxicity in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer: A Concept Analysis

BACKGROUND

A cancer diagnosis as an adolescent and young adult (AYA) poses exceptional challenges, including potential greater financial toxicity than older survivors experience who have had more time for career establishment and to build financial assets. Costs to patients have increased more than the past decade; prospects for AYA long-term survival have also increased. A better understanding of what financial toxicity is, how it presents, and the immediate and longer-term implications for AYAs is needed.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze the concept financial toxicity in AYAs diagnosed with cancer.

METHODS

We used Rodgers' evolutionary method and articles published between January 2013 and December 2020.

RESULTS

We identified key antecedents, attributes, and consequences of financial toxicity in AYAs and review its related terms that have often been used as surrogate terms. Attributes were financial burden, financial distress, and competing financial pressures. Consequences were mostly adverse and persistent and included engaging in various financial problem-solving behaviors, material hardship and poor financial well-being, and deteriorated quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this analysis clarify financial toxicity and provide guidance for a conceptual framework in the context of AYA cancer survivorship. Its consequences in AYAs with cancer are profound and will continue to evolve over time with changes in health systems and the economy.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Oncology nurses should understand the attributes and consequences of financial toxicity for AYAs throughout the cancer trajectory. Future research on financial toxicity should extend across AYAs living with other chronic illnesses and cancer survivors in other age groups.

It Is Time to Ask About Financial Toxicity

Increasing attention in the oncology community has turned to the problem of financial toxicity, a term coined to reflect the significant negative impact that high medical costs combined with income interruption during treatment may cause. Numerous studies have described how widespread the problem is, affecting as many as 73% of patients with cancer, and its association with negative outcomes, such as decreased health-related quality of life, unplanned and unwanted lifestyle changes because of lack of funds, and intentional nonadherence to planned therapy in an attempt to decrease out-of-pocket costs. Several articles describe brief screening tools, such as the Distress Thermometer, and psychometrically tested assessment instruments, like the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity, that are potentially suitable to incorporate into routine clinical practice. However, there are very few tested interventions for financial toxicity, despite the recognized need for evidence-based practice in this area.