Coping with checkpoint inhibitor adverse events: Assisting cancer patients in skills development - insights from the Immuno’Act© pre-experimental pilot study

OBJECTIVES: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can lead to immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which can be severe if not promptly identified and managed. The therapeutic education tool Immuno'Act© has been created to teach cancer patients how to handle irAEs. This study aimed to assess: (1) the preliminary effects of the therapeutic patient education (TPE) session using Immuno'Act© on perceived self-efficacy (PSE), (2) the association between PSE and patients' decision-making to cope with health events, and (3) patients' acceptance of the tool. METHODS: This pre-experimental study included cancer patients treated with ICIs at the CHU of Liège, recruited by convenience. PSE was measured using an adapted self-administered questionnaire at least three weeks before the TPE session (T0), immediately afterwards (T1) and at least three weeks after T1 (T2). Decision-making was evaluated through patients' action choices in real-life scenarios presented in Immuno'Act©. Acceptance was assessed with brief scales covering perceived utility, ease of use, aesthetic aspects and overall judgment. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. Adjusted general linear mixed model evaluated PSE over time; adjusted linear and logistic regression models assessed associations with PSE changes and decision-making. Descriptive statistics summarised acceptance. RESULTS: Eighty patients participated. The PSE total score remained high throughout the study, with no effect from a single use of Immuno'Act© (p = 0.91). Up to 25 % of patients never chose the recommended action in coping with urgent and non-urgent irAEs. No association was observed between global PSE level and decision-making. Acceptance was rated positively by over 95 % of participants, with an overall judgment of 8.61 ± 0.96/10. CONCLUSION: The positive acceptance of Immuno'Act©, combined with concerning findings, underscores the need to integrate such tools into clinical practice to support patients in managing irAEs. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare professionals should integrate tools like Immuno'Act© in routine care, with optimal implementation strategy to be determined.