It's just been hard work: Experiences of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatments among people with advanced cancer.

Watts, Tessa ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1201-5192 and Roche, Dominic 2023. It's just been hard work: Experiences of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatments among people with advanced cancer. Presented at: RCN International Research Conference 2023, Manchester, 6 - 9 September 2023.

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Abstract

Background Clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for some people with ad vancedcancers. EarlieraccesstothesetreatmentsmeansmorepeoplewillreceiveICI’s. Treatmentscanlastfor two years and immune related adverse events (irAEs) may be experienced. IrAEs can be severe, challenging to manageand impact negatively on quality of life. Yet, as research remains limited, we know little about people’s experiences of ICI treatments and their associated supportive care needs. Aims This study aimed to explore and better understand ICI treatment experiences from the perspective of people with advanced cancers. Methods An exploratory qualitative approach was adopted. Following ethical approval, between September 2020 and March 2022 clinicians recruited a purposive sample of patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Given SARS CoV-2 physical distancing requirements, and with informed consent, data were generated using in-depth tele phone or online secure video-conferencing interviews. Interviews were transcribed, anonymised and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s (2019) inductive, reflexive thematic approach to capture patterns and experiences relative to the study’s aim. Results Sixteen people with advanced melanoma (n=9), renal (n=4), and lung (n=3) cancer and two partners partici pated. Participants were grateful for ICI treatment and oncology teams, particularly specialist nurses, were highly regarded. However, most participants felt unprepared for complex, lengthy, treatment surveillance and experienced ICI treatments as hard work. This work was entwined with emotions connected with existential ambiguity, and unmet information and support needs, often juxtaposed against irAEs. Support was derived from participants’ own social networks. Discussion and conclusions This study offers new insights into how ICI treatments are experienced by people affected by advanced can cers. Results signal the need for innovative, co-developed supportive resources and interventions implemented at discrete points across the ICI treatment pathway, together with truly person-centred services to minimise burdens and enhance patients’ experiences.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item - unpublished
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Healthcare Sciences
Last Modified:	16 Sep 2026 16:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/162606

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