Abstract CT293: eCAN Project : The EU Joint Action on strengthening eHealth including telemedicine and telemonitoring for cancer prevention and care
Authors: Andrea Pace, Vittorio Castaldo, Marco G. Paggi, Efthyvoulos Kyriacou, Christina Plomariti, Magdalena Rosinska, Tugce Schmitt, Victoria Leclercq
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract The integration of telemedicine tools such as teleconsultation and telemonitoring in cancer patients care may allow to improve person-centered care and patients’ empowerment. The eCAN JA (https://ecanja.eu/) explores the role of telemedicine tools in clinical trials focusing on tele-rehabilitation and tele-psychological support in different populations of cancer patients in 10 European countries.The main aim is to assess the effect of teleconsultation and telemonitoring program focused on rehabilitation and psychological support for cancer patients on patient reported outcomes measures (PROMs) in three different pilot randomized controlled trials. MethodsThe pilot trials have been launched in September 2023 in 10 European countries with a multicentric, prospective, randomized, open label design in patients affected by Breast Cancer (BC) (Pilot 1a), Head and Neck (H&amp;N) (Pilot 1b) and advanced cancer (Pilot 2). According to the sample size calculation, the aim is to enroll a minimum of 354 patients, in 18 European cancer centers. Patients are randomly assigned either to the intervention or control group using a 1:1 ratioThe main objectives of the pilots are: 1-To assess the effect of teleconsultation program and telemonitoring focused on rehabilitation for patients with BC (1a) and H&amp;N (1b) cancer on the PROMs (quality of life (QoL) and pain) compared to usual care.2-To assess the effect of teleconsultation program and telemonitoring focused on psychological support for patients with advanced cancer (pilot 2) on the PROMs (QoL and distress thermometer) compared to usual care. Patients in the intervention group receive weekly teleconsultation during 8 weeks through the secure Edumeet platform. In pilot 1, tele-rehabilitation training is performed by a remote physiotherapist and consist of a series of revalidation exercises. In pilot 2, tele-psychological support is performed by a remote psychologist and consist of techniques for managing emotions and stress.PROMs data will be collected longitudinally during the intervention with dedicated digital application (eCAN app) and distant Telemonitoring with eCAN dashboard. Patients in the control group receive usual (in person) care. Results64/354 patients have been enrolled at present. An interim analysis is planned for the end of January 2024 in order to assess feasibility, patients compliance and dropout rate.. ConclusionThe integration of telemedicine tools such as teleconsultation and telemonitoring may allow to improve person-centered care and patients’ empowerment. The results of the eCAN project will improve our knowledge on benefits and risks for teleconsultation and telemonitoring in cancer patients care and will facilitate health care professionals’ skills in communication with patients and their families in the context of remote care and telemedicine. Co-funded by the European Union (Grant number: 101075326). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Citation Format: Andrea Pace, Vittorio Castaldo, Marco G. Paggi, Efthyvoulos Kyriacou, Christina Plomariti, Magdalena Rosinska, Tugce Schmitt, Victoria Leclercq, eCAN WP5 research team. eCAN Project : The EU Joint Action on strengthening eHealth including telemedicine and telemonitoring for cancer prevention and care [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr CT293.