A digital tool developed by multidisciplinary physicians to improve prostate cancer management: cardiovascular prevention and drug-drug interaction

Background

Physicians involved in the management of prostate cancer currently face several challenges, notably due to the numerous drug–drug interactions between hormonal therapies, particularly new-generation agents, and commonly used treatments. In addition, this population is characterized by increased morbidity and a high rate of cardiovascular mortality. Many specialists including cardiologists are not aware of this increased cardiovascular risk and of the numerous drug interactions associated with the hormone therapies used.

Purpose

The aim of this project was to develop an easily accessible and intuitive digital tool to improve patient management. The objective was to enhance the multidisciplinary care of patients with prostate cancer by providing support for patient monitoring and drug–drug interaction assessment.

Methods

A multidisciplinary group, including radiation oncologists specialized in prostate cancer, a pharmacologist, and a cardio-oncologist, worked over a two-year period to develop an online free platform allowing physicians from different specialties to collaborate in the management of prostate cancer.

Five distinct sections were defined to tailor care according to specialty: cardiology, onco-urology, pharmacology, osteoporosis management and a section dedicated to the general practitioner. Each section offers specific information adapted to the medical needs of each physician.

Results

For the section dedicated to cardiologists, several tabs make it easy to assess cardiovascular risk in patients receiving hormone therapy in real-world practice, using dedicated risk-score calculators (SCORE 2, SCORE 2 OP, SCORE 2 Diabetes) . This section also allows users to download a standard template for referral letters, access dietary recommendations, ESC cardiovascular prevention and cardio-oncology guidelines, as well as a tab enabling rapid verification of the absence of drug–drug interactions between the patient’s usual treatment and the prescribed hormone therapy. This website was initially developed in a French version and validated by the Cardio-Oncology Working Group of the French Society of Cardiology, and in light of its success, an English version was subsequently created.

Conclusion

This website is an innovative digital tool which enables specialists world-wide involved in the management of prostate cancer to easily, quickly, and free of charge access information on clinical guidelines, drug–drug interactions, and recommended cardiological monitoring.