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Roets E, Schuster K, Bickley S, Wartenberg M, Gonzato O, Fernandez N, Kasper B, Pilgermann K, Wilson R, Steeghs N, van der Graaf WTA, van Oortmerssen G, Husson O. Setting the international research agenda for sarcomas with patients and carers: results of phase II of the Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network (SPAGN) priority setting partnership. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:962. [PMID: 39107697 PMCID: PMC11301941 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12732-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Typically, researchers and clinicians determine the agenda in sarcoma research. However, patient involvement can have a meaningful impact on research. Therefore, the Patient-Powered Research Network (PPRN) of the Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network (SPAGN) set up a Priority Setting Partnership (PSP). The primary objective of this partnership is to identify priorities for research and patient advocacy topics. METHODS In the first phase of this PSP, including 264 sarcoma patients and carers from all over the world, 23 research topics regarding sarcomas and 15 patient advocacy topics were identified using an online survey. In the second phase, participants were asked to fill in a top five and a top three of research and patient advocacy topics, respectively. Additionally, sociodemographic characteristics and sarcoma characteristics were collected. Social media channels, local national patient advocacy groups and the SPAGN website were used to distribute the survey. RESULTS In total, 671 patients (75%) and carers (25%) participated in this survey. The five highest ranked research topics were related to causes of sarcoma (43%), prognosis and risk of recurrence (40%), specific subtypes of sarcoma (33%), the role of immunotherapy, targeted therapy and combined therapy (30%), and hereditary aspects (30%). The three highest ranked patient advocacy topics were improving the diagnostic process of sarcoma (39%), access to tumor DNA analysis (37%) and establishing an international sarcoma registry (37%). CONCLUSIONS This sarcoma PSP has identified priorities for research and patient advocacy, offering guidance for researchers, assisting funding agencies with assessing project relevance and empowering patient advocates to represent the needs of patients and carers.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Roets
- Medical Oncology Department, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K Schuster
- Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network (SPAGN), Untergasse 36, D-61200, Wölfersheim, Germany
| | - S Bickley
- Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network (SPAGN), Untergasse 36, D-61200, Wölfersheim, Germany
- Policy and Support, Sarcoma UK, 17/18 Angel Gate City Road, London, UK
| | - M Wartenberg
- Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network (SPAGN), Untergasse 36, D-61200, Wölfersheim, Germany
- German Sarcoma Foundation, National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - O Gonzato
- Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network (SPAGN), Untergasse 36, D-61200, Wölfersheim, Germany
- Fondazione Paola Gonzato-Rete Sarcoma ETS, Rome, Italy
| | - N Fernandez
- Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network (SPAGN), Untergasse 36, D-61200, Wölfersheim, Germany
| | - B Kasper
- Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network (SPAGN), Untergasse 36, D-61200, Wölfersheim, Germany
- German Sarcoma Foundation, National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany
- Sarcoma Unit, Mannheim University Medical Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - K Pilgermann
- Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network (SPAGN), Untergasse 36, D-61200, Wölfersheim, Germany
| | - R Wilson
- Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network (SPAGN), Untergasse 36, D-61200, Wölfersheim, Germany
- Sarcoma UK, 17/18 Angel Gate City Road, London, UK
| | - N Steeghs
- Medical Oncology Department, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - W T A van der Graaf
- Medical Oncology Department, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Medical Oncology Department, Erasmus Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - G van Oortmerssen
- Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network (SPAGN), Untergasse 36, D-61200, Wölfersheim, Germany
| | - O Husson
- Medical Oncology Department, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Medical Oncology Department, Erasmus Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Surgical Oncology Department, Erasmus Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Husson O, Drabbe C, Schuster K, van Kampen P, Koops C, Weidema M, Davidson R, Wartenberg M, Artzner E, Gonzato O, Fernandez N, Kasper B, Pilgermann K, Wilson R, van der Graaf WTA, van Oortmerssen G. Setting the international research agenda for sarcoma together with patients and carers: first results of the Sarcoma Patient EuroNet (SPAEN) priority setting partnership. ESMO Open 2022; 7:100509. [PMID: 35714479 PMCID: PMC9271500 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Research in sarcomas has historically been the domain of scientists and clinicians attempting to understand the disease to develop effective treatments. This traditional approach of placing scientific rigor before the patient’s reality is changing. This evolution is reflected in the growth of patient-centered organizations and patient advocacy groups that seek to meaningfully integrate patients into the research process. The aims of this study are to identify the unanswered questions regarding sarcomas (including gastrointestinal stromal tumors and desmoid fibromatosis) from patient, carer, and clinical perspectives and examine how patients and carers want to be involved in sarcoma research. Methods The Patient-Powered Research Network of Sarcoma Patients EuroNet set up a Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) in collaboration with stakeholders from the sarcoma research field. This PSP is largely based on the James Lind Alliance methodology. Results In total, 264 sarcoma patients (73%) and carers (27%) from all over the world participated in the online survey and covered the full spectrum of sarcomas. The topics mentioned were labeled in accordance with the Common Scientific Outline of the International Cancer Research Partnership and lists for potential research topics, advocacy topics, and requests for information were constructed. With regard to patient and carer involvement, 64% were very willing to be actively involved and mainly in the following areas: sharing perspectives, discussing patient-clinician interactions, and attending research meetings. Conclusions The first results of this sarcoma PSP identified important research questions, but also important topics for patient advocacy groups and further improvement of information materials. Sarcoma patients and carers have a strong wish to be involved in multiple aspects of sarcoma research. The next phase will identify the top 10 research priorities per tumor type. These priorities will provide guidance for research that will achieve greatest value and impact. The results from this international sarcoma Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) identified important research questions. This PSP also identified important topics for patient advocacy and requests for information. Sarcoma patients and carers have a strong wish to be involved in multiple aspects of sarcoma research. The next phase of this PSP will aim to prioritize the research questions per tumor type.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Husson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, London, UK
| | - C Drabbe
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - K Schuster
- Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN), Wölfersheim, Germany
| | - P van Kampen
- Dutch Sarcoma Patient Platform, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - C Koops
- Dutch Sarcoma Patient Platform, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - M Weidema
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - M Wartenberg
- Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN), Wölfersheim, Germany; German Sarcoma Foundation, Wölfersheim, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases Germany, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - E Artzner
- Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN), Wölfersheim, Germany
| | - O Gonzato
- Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN), Wölfersheim, Germany; Trust Paola Gonzato-Rete Sarcoma, Italy
| | - N Fernandez
- Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN), Wölfersheim, Germany
| | - B Kasper
- Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN), Wölfersheim, Germany; German Sarcoma Foundation, Wölfersheim, Germany; Sarcoma Unity, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim University Medical Center, Mannheim Cancer Center, Mannheim, Germany
| | - K Pilgermann
- Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN), Wölfersheim, Germany
| | - R Wilson
- Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN), Wölfersheim, Germany; Sarcoma UK, London, UK
| | - W T A van der Graaf
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - G van Oortmerssen
- Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN), Wölfersheim, Germany; Dutch Sarcoma Patient Platform, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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