Supporting Patient Information and Resource Needs for Bispecific Antibody Treatments

This is the first in a series of 3 blog posts highlighting the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) education program focused on Successful Integration of Bispecific Antibodies into Community Oncology Practice. You can read more here.

The past 250 years have seen novel treatments drive innovations in oncology and incrementally improve clinical outcomes. With the advent of bispecific antibody (BsAb) therapy, patients with cancer—particularly those who have relapsed or not responded to traditional therapies—have another promising treatment option. Recognizing this emerging frontier in oncology, the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is committed to helping cancer care team members, patients, and caregivers understand how bispecific antibody treatments fit within the cancer care continuum, how they differ from chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, and the education and resources available to patients and their families. A recent interview with the Lymphoma Research Foundation provides key insight on patients’ needs.

“Based on our experience and conversations with patients, many individuals are uncertain about when a bispecific therapy might be appropriate for them,” said Victor Gonzalez, MS, MA, senior director of Patient Programs and Support Services at the Lymphoma Research Foundation. “This class of therapy is relatively new, and there is often a lag between its approval and patients becoming comfortable talking or having a general awareness about it.”

According to Gonzalez the foundation witnessed a similar phenomenon with the implementation of CAR T-cell therapy and has applied the lessons learned to educate patients about bispecifics. While both bispecific antibody treatments and CAR T-cell therapy aim to boost a patient’s immune response against cancer, key differences exist. While CAR T-cell therapy involves modifying a patient's T-cells to better recognize and attack cancer cells—which can be complex and requires close monitoring in specialized centers—bispecific antibodies link a patient’s existing immune cells to cancer cells, causing the immune system to attack the tumor.

Gonzalez argues that for many patients, the assumption that certain therapies can only be accessed at an academic center prevents them from asking about bispecific antibody treatments. “Typically, patients do not request bispecific treatments on their own; rather, they are usually recommended by their health care providers, assuming the provider is aware of it,” he explained. “Organizations like ours play an important role in introducing these options to patients so they can feel empowered to request information.”

It is also important for patient advocacy groups and providers to inform patients about this treatment option early on. Gonzalez explains why:

“A patient might call us after being diagnosed with a type of lymphoma, say, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and they may express concern because they were initially told that chemotherapy would likely cure them. Unfortunately, if they belong to the 45% who aren’t, they find that they were not properly educated about what other therapies are available to them. This lack of education often continues into the second or third lines of treatment. When patients reach third-line therapy plus, they are usually scrambling to find appropriate options.”

At the time of diagnosis, Gonzalez believes it is important for providers to clearly communicate the indications for this therapy to ensure that patients understand their treatment options and what to expect should the need arise to explore additional lines of therapy. “It's vital for us to share specific data that support the approval of these therapies, explaining how they might be beneficial and detailing the mechanisms of action, potential side effects, and infusion requirements,” he explained. “We also discuss combination therapies that are appropriate and educate patients on how they may be used together and help them understand the big picture.”

The Value of Patient Navigation and Advocacy Groups

A deeper understanding of the treatment continuum can help alleviate anxiety for many patients and their caregivers. However, navigating cancer treatment can often be a daunting process, thus making support services invaluable. “It's crucial for patients to communicate not only with their oncologists but also with nurses, social workers, and patient navigators,” Gonzalez said. “We know that many patients feel more comfortable asking their nurses questions that they may feel silly asking their oncologists or may be too intimidated to ask.”

To help health care professionals feel confident that they are providing patients with the correct information, the Lymphoma Research Foundation offers a continuing medical education (CME) program, Lymphoma Rounds, and is also developing a CE program for nurses, Lymphoma Insights. The Foundation has also developed resources in both English and Spanish, including one focused on bispecific therapies for lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This resource aims to educate patients on relevant terminology while providing a list of suggested questions they can discuss with their health care providers. A helpline is also available that can assist patients and caregivers around the country: trained staff provide individualized information on cancer type, diagnostic tests, treatment options, potential side effects, and the latest in research to more than 10,000 callers each year.

Initiatives like these highlight the critical role patient advocacy groups play in cancer care. “It’s heartbreaking when we speak to patients who say they wish they had known about us when they were diagnosed or first going through chemotherapy,” Gonzalez said. “While we do not provide medical advice, we can serve as a sounding board for patients and fill in some of the holes that exist for them.”

Additional resources for cancer care teams can be found in the ACCC Bispecific Antibodies resource library.

The ACCC Successful Integration of Bispecific Antibodies into Community Practice education program is supported by Genentech and Johnson & Johnson.