Maximizing the effectiveness of oral therapies in lymphoid cancers: research gaps and unmet needs

Abstract

Oral therapies have become a common treatment choice for several lymphoid cancers. While therapeutic efficacy and patient preference for this therapy type have been reported, there is a lack of knowledge about its effectiveness for lymphoma in clinical practice, particularly in regard to the effects of medication nonadherence. While studies of oral medications in other diseases have shown that adherence is a major factor in outcomes and costs, there is scant research investigating adherence specifically in lymphoma patients, who face unique challenges in their diseases and treatments. To address the limited data available, we constructed a conceptual model and highlighted key opportunities for future research to better elucidate oral therapy adherence in lymphoma. This research will hopefully improve understanding and efficacy of oral treatment for lymphoma patients, while also informing other cancers utilizing oral therapies currently and in the future.

Keywords:

• Oral therapy
• adherence
• lymphoma

Potential conflict of interest

Disclosure forms provided by the authors are available with the full text of this article online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10428194.2019.1594217.

Additional information

Funding

Research reported in this publication was supported in part by National Cancer Institute Awards K24CA208132 and U01CA195568. Also funding was received from Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology Foundation. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.