Patient preferences for frontline therapies for Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a discrete choice experiment

Aim: We examined the preferences of adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) for benefits and risks of tyrosine kinase inhibitors combined with chemotherapy for first-line treatment. Methods: In a discrete choice experiment, 201 patients chose between hypothetical treatment alternatives with varied levels of remission duration and overall survival (OS), and risks of major cardiovascular (CV) events and myelosuppression. Results: Although OS was the most important attribute to patients with Ph+ ALL, they were willing to tolerate a 2.9% increase in CV risk for 1 additional month of OS. Older patients (>59 years) and patients not in remission were less likely to tolerate increased CV risk. Conclusion: Preferences and risk tolerance varied between patients, highlighting the importance of shared decision making when selecting treatments for Ph+ ALL. Plain language summary Treatments differ in their potential benefits and side effects they may come with. Patients should be involved in deciding which treatments they receive. This is because patients may have different views than physicians on how the benefits and side effects of treatment would affect their quality of life. Additionally, patients may have different risk tolerances. This study shows how patients with a form of leukemia valued survival benefits and side effects of treatments, and the trade-offs that they were willing to make between these. On average, longer survival had most value to patients. They were willing to accept a higher risk of a major cardiovascular side effect (e.g., having a stroke) if the treatment would allow them to live longer. However, not all patients had the same opinion, and some groups of patients were less willing to accept risks to receive longer survival. By involving patients in treatment decisions, we can help ensure they receive treatments that match their personal preferences.

Automated summary

This study examines the preferences of adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) for tyrosine kinase inhibitors combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment. The results show that while overall survival (OS) is the most important factor for patients, they are willing to tolerate a small increase in cardiovascular risk for additional months of OS. The study highlights the importance of shared decision making in selecting treatments for Ph+ ALL.