At-Home vs Clinic-Based Therapy for Advanced Cancer

This trial tests whether receiving cancer treatment at home can improve the quality of life for patients with advanced cancer compared to traditional clinic visits. It aims to determine if home-based care can reduce stress and costs while maintaining treatment effectiveness. The trial includes patients with specific types of cancer, such as breast, lung, or prostate, who are already managing their treatment well and live in areas with reliable internet access for remote monitoring. Participants will either continue their treatment entirely at home (Home Health Encounter) or split it between the clinic (Clinical Encounter) and home. As a Phase 2 trial, this research focuses on measuring the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group of people.

The trial does not specify that you need to stop taking your current medications. In fact, it allows for certain standard of care oral drugs and anti-hormonal agents to be taken alongside the trial treatments.

Research has shown that receiving cancer treatment at home can be as safe as receiving it in a clinic. For instance, home chemotherapy is a safe alternative to hospital care and helps patients adhere to their treatment plans more effectively. One study found that patients receiving care at home felt safe and satisfied, with fewer subsequent hospital visits.

For those treated in clinics, studies have not identified any major safety concerns. Patients with advanced cancer often visit urgent care clinics without encountering significant safety issues.

Researchers are excited about these treatments because they offer a new approach to cancer care that blends at-home and clinic-based treatments. Unlike traditional cancer treatments that require frequent visits to the hospital, this approach allows patients to receive their standard of care treatments at home. For Arm A, patients continue their treatments at home for about 24 weeks with remote monitoring using biometric devices and video consultations with their care team. Arm B starts with 8 weeks of clinic-based treatment, followed by 16 weeks of home-based care, offering a gradual transition to at-home therapy. This flexibility could make cancer treatment more convenient and less stressful, potentially improving the quality of life for patients.

This trial will compare at-home treatment with a combination of clinic and at-home treatment for advanced cancer. Research has shown that receiving cancer care at home can greatly improve a patient's quality of life. Patients treated at home often remain more active and have lower chances of dying or needing to return to the hospital compared to those treated in a hospital. One study found that 42.2% to 91% of patients avoided hospital readmission when they received care at home. Caregivers also reported feeling safe with home-based care. In contrast, treatments given in clinics can help manage symptoms but do not cure advanced cancer. These findings suggest that home-based care might provide a better overall experience for patients with advanced cancer.⁶⁷⁸⁹¹⁰