The following is a summary of “A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Interventions to Promote Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy Adherence Among Breast Cancer Survivors,” published in the October 2023 issue of Oncology by Bright, et al.

For a study, researchers sought to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions designed to enhance adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) among breast cancer survivors. They aimed to provide an up-to-date analysis of these interventions to inform future research and clinical care.

Systematic searches were performed in three electronic databases to identify studies that examined interventions to promote AET adherence among breast cancer survivors. The systematic review included studies that met these criteria. Studies that examined AET adherence measures and provided sufficient information to calculate effect sizes were included in the meta-analysis.

Out of 5,045 unique records, 33 studies representing 375,951 women met the criteria for the systematic review. Interventions that educated patients on managing side effects did not significantly improve AET adherence, while policy changes that reduced AET costs consistently enhanced adherence. Medication reminders, communication, and psychological/coping strategies showed varying efficacy. In the meta-analysis, adherence interventions had a statistically significant effect compared to control conditions specified by the studies (25 studies; odds ratio, 1.412; 95% CI, 1.183 to 1.682; P = .0001). Subgroup analyses showed no significant differences in effect sizes based on study design, publication year, directionality of the intervention, or intervention type.

The study represented the first meta-analysis demonstrating a significant effect of interventions to promote AET adherence among breast cancer survivors. Lowering medication costs and specific psychosocial and reminder interventions showed the most promise. The findings had important implications for future research, policy development, and clinical practice in breast cancer care.

Source: ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.23.00697