Gayle Jameson, MSN, ACNP-BC, AOCN - Clinical Advances in Pancreatic Cancer: The Oncology Nurse as a Leader and Advocate for Patients in a Changing Therapeutic Landscape

Oncology nurses are at the forefront of care for patients with pancreatic cancer, a much-feared disease whose management was for years characterized by modestly effective treatment options. The recent emergence of new cytotoxic platforms combined with rapid research on potent targeted therapies has made the role of the nurse as a caregiver and educator more important than ever, particularly because these new options differ greatly from conventional chemotherapy strategies. In this activity based on a recent live symposium held in Anaheim during the Oncology Nursing Society’s (ONS) 44th Annual Congress, expert nurse faculty use a patient-voice inclusive MasterClass designed to provide real-world guidance for effective translation of the latest evidence into clinical practice. In addition, the experts offer their perspectives on the unique needs and concerns of patients, and how engagement strategies can shape individualized, patient-centric management plans throughout the continuum of pancreatic cancer care. This activity also features perspectives from pancreatic cancer patients developed in collaboration with Let’s Win, an affiliate of the Lustgarten Foundation. Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to: Summarize updated efficacy and safety evidence on therapeutic strategies in pancreatic cancer, including cytotoxic platforms and chemotherapy sequencing approaches, targeted agents directed against molecular features/mutations, or tumor treating field therapy, among others, Educate patients on the clinical uses and potential of clinical trials investigating novel therapeutics alone and in combination with cytotoxic regimens in the pancreatic cancer setting, Provide guidance to patients on therapeutic sequencing with cytotoxic platforms in advanced pancreatic cancer based upon available evidence, guideline recommendations, and disease- and patient-specific characteristics, Manage adverse events associated with established and emerging therapies for pancreatic cancer.