OBJECTIVES: Treatment patient preferences (PP) in oncology clinical trials can help researchers understand which aspects of treatments patients value most and their perceived benefit-risk trade-offs of a treatment. This information can help in prioritizing trial endpoints. The primary objective of this study was to identify and describe the PP for cancer drug attributes in patients with metastatic cancer.

METHODS: One-to-one semi-structured interviews took place with 12 adult patients (7 from Spain, 5 from Croatia) with common and rare metastatic cancer living in a Spain or Croatia. The interviews aimed at understanding the attributes patients consider when assessing their preferences with available cancer treatment options. Interviews were conducted and audio-recorded in local language and transcribed into English.

RESULTS: Patients were a mean age of years old (range: 40 to 72) and were mostly female (92%). Patients had non-small cell lung cancer (n=5), breast cancer (n=5) or multiple myeloma (n=2). When asked about the most important attribute when considering cancer treatment options, half of participants (n=6) mentioned progression-free survival, overall survival (n=4), and quality of life (n=4) as the most important treatment attributes. When asked about the least important, frequency of (n=4), side effects (n=4), mode of administration (n=3) and overall survival (n=2) were

When asked which personal characteristics would have the most important contribution to treatment decision-making, understanding of treatment information, age, treatment duration, and health status, was most frequently considered. Marital status, sex, and productivity were not considered a priority.

CONCLUSIONS: Understanding attributes patients value the most when making treatment decisions in oncology has revealed that survival and quality of life are considered important to patients with metastatic cancer. This information can help in defining patient-relevant endpoints in future clinical trials.