Using targeted therapies at the end of life. Issue 3 (27th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Delaye, Matthieu; Scotte, Florian; Voisin-Saltiel, Sabine; Pavliuc, Elena; Vigouret-Viant, Laurence; Dauchy, Sarah; Mateus, Christine
• Is Part Of: BMJ supportive & palliative care. Volume 12:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 356
• Page End: 358
• Publication Date: 2020-08-27
• Subjects: supportive care -- end of life care -- quality of life -- symptoms and symptom management; Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; Terminal care -- Periodicals; 616.029
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002529
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-435X

Abstract

Abstract : The prescription of chemotherapy during the last weeks of a patient's life is a recognised criterion of decreasing quality of life but also survival. Targeted therapies have a particular efficiency and tolerance profile raising the question of their use in a palliative setting. Two patients were treated for a melanoma, at terminal stage, with poor efficiency of the symptomatic treatments. We introduced targeted therapies, which was previous treatments used in both patients.The evolution and benefits of the treatment was very different in our two patients and make us discuss the interest of targeted therapies in an end-of-life context and propose criteria for their maintenance or introduction in this indication. This discussion requires close collaboration between oncologists and palliative physicians and a very clear information given to patients and their relatives.