Abstract PS9-15: Utilizing education to strengthen oncologist' understanding of immunotherapy in triple negative breast cancer

Abstract

Background:Immunotherapy was first introduced into the treatment of triple negative breast cancer with the approval of nab-paclitaxel + atezolizumab in patients with metastatic PD-L1-positive disease. Continued research sheds light on the utility of other immuontherapies in the metastatic setting as well as a potential role for immunotherapy in neoadjuvant disease. Given the factors impacting patient eligibility and the rationale for further exploring immunotherapy in novel settings, education can help ensure that oncologists are well-informed about available clinical trial data and ongoing research to optimize the use of immunotherapy in this subtype of breast cancer. The goal of this study was to determine if participation in an educational activity can improve the knowledge and competency of oncologists on the application of checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of triple negative breast cancer.Methods: An online continuing education (CME) activity consisted of a 30-minute video discussion with synchronized slides between 2 panelists about the rationale and ongoing clinical trials exploring data for immunotherapy in triple negative breast cancer. Educational effect was assessed using a repeated pairs pre-assessment/post-assessment study design and compared of content-based pre- and post-assessment responses. A chi-square test was used to identify statistical differences between pre- and post-assessment responses. P values were calculated and those < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Data from oncologist participants in the educational activity were collected between 3/22/20 through 5/19/20. Results:Participation in education resulted in statistically significant improvement and a considerable educational effect for oncologists (n=121; p <0.0001). 61% of oncologists reported practicing in a community setting with 67% treating patients beyond breast cancer alone. Overall, oncologists demonstrated a 20% increase in confidence in identifying the role and stage in triple negative breast cancer therapy for the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Improvements in knowledge were observed in: •Understanding the biological rationale for using immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with triple negative breast cancer (69% vs. 83%; p <0.05) •Knowing the ongoing clinical trials that may impact the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors across the continuum of TNBC (69% vs. 87%; p <0.01) •Emerging clinical trial data on the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors utilizing pathologic complete response as an endpoint of efficacy in neoadjuvant disease (73% vs. 82%) Conclusions: This online, interactive, CME-certified educational activity resulted in significant overall gains in oncologist knowledge regarding the existing and emerging evidence for immunotherapy in triple negative breast cancer. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of on-demand education but also highlight the effectiveness in reaching community-based practitioners and also practitioners that do not specialize in breast cancer alone. Grantors: This educational initiative was supported through educational grants from Bristol Myers Squibb and Merck & Co., Inc. Citation Format: Kinjal Parikh, Charlotte Warren, Patrick Kugel, Ann Carothers, Haleh Kadkhoda, Leisha Emens. Utilizing education to strengthen oncologist' understanding of immunotherapy in triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS9-15.