Dr Chase on Considering Patient Preferences for Treatment Planning in Gynecologic Oncology

"In general, patients seem to like having longer intervals in between treatment…and [they] prefer to take an oral medication and not have to come into an infusion center. However, if you tell the patient that IV therapy might give them a greater disease benefit or control of their treatment compared with the oral treatment…they might change their mind."

Dana M. Chase, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, UCLA Health, discussed how assessments of quality of life and patient-reported outcomes can be used to inform treatment planning and drug development in gynecologic oncology.

The preference for oral vs intravenous (IV) therapies among patients with cancer is an important consideration in drug development and treatment planning, Chase began. Patient satisfaction surveys consistently indicate that many individuals prefer oral medications over IV therapies, primarily due to convenience, reduced clinic visits, and fewer disruptions to daily life, she reported. Additionally, extended dosing intervals—whether in the context of oral or IV therapies—tend to be preferred over more frequent treatment schedules, she added.

However, treatment decisions are often more complex than methods of administration, Chase continued. When patients are informed that IV therapy might provide superior disease control or longer survival benefits compared with an oral alternative, their preferences may shift, she explained. This suggests that efficacy, rather than convenience alone, remains a key factor in decision-making, Chase stated.

For drug developers, these insights highlight the need to balance efficacy with patient convenience, Chase noted. Although oral therapies are often preferred, they must demonstrate comparable or superior clinical benefit to IV options to be widely adopted, she said. Moreover, patient adherence is a critical factor—daily oral regimens may seem more convenient but could pose challenges related to missed doses or variability in drug absorption, Chase emphasized.

Future research and drug development should continue to integrate patient preferences while maintaining a focus on maximizing therapeutic efficacy, Chase concluded.