Participants’ perspectives of the advanced ovarian cancer biomarker study VALTIVE1: a qualitative study

TL;DR

This study explores how patients with advanced ovarian cancer perceive a biomarker study and potential future trial involving bevacizumab treatment adjustments.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into patient perspectives on biomarker-guided treatment discontinuation in ovarian cancer care.

Findings

Participants experienced side effects from bevacizumab, including stiffness, pain, fatigue, nose bleeds, and muscle aches.

Most participants found it acceptable to discontinue bevacizumab in a future trial based on biomarker test results.

Participants expressed a strong preference to be informed of their biomarker test results and treatment side effects.

Abstract

VALTIVE1 is a multi-centre, single-arm, non-interventional biomarker study for patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Plasma samples (Tie2 concentration) are collected to detect vascular control in tumours during standard treatment with chemotherapy and bevacizumab. This qualitative study embedded in VALTIVE1 aimed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a potential VALTIVE2 trial. It explored the participants’ perceptions of the study and treatments and how they might feel if bevacizumab were discontinued based on the results from the biomarker test.

This qualitative study used semi-structured telephone interviews, which were analysed using deductive and inductive thematic analysis.

Cancer treatment sites in the UK.

Participants recruited to VALTIVE1 were invited to take part in qualitative interviews. 11 female participants took part from four clinical sites.

Participants reported that they experienced side effects attributed to bevacizumab, including stiffness, pain, fatigue, nose bleeds and muscle aches. Participants felt that combining chemotherapy and bevacizumab may have increased the severity of the side effects they experienced. Most participants felt that it was acceptable, if not preferable, to be allocated to a group in a future VALTIVE2 study where bevacizumab may be discontinued according to the results from the biomarker test. A clear preference of participants was to be informed of the biomarker test results, health status and treatment side effects.

A future trial should consider ensuring all participants have access to test results, as participants indicated a preference to know whether bevacizumab was working and to discontinue bevacizumab if it had not prevented tumour growth based on the biomarker results. Comprehensive and ongoing information and support regarding treatment side effects should be provided to all participants throughout their cancer pathways and trials.

NCT04523116.