ASCO 2025 ENCOMPASS Experience:
Visualizing the Science Shaping the Future of Oncology Innovation
Learning Objectives
- Apply relevant available and emerging data for ICIs to guide treatment decisions for patients with NSCLC
- Manage the AEs associated with new and emerging ICIs for NSCLC proactively and effectively to maximize treatment benefit and patient QoL
- Use biomarker testing including PD-L1 expression levels, to guide treatment selection for patients with NSCLC
Patient Introduction
Hello, my name is Wendy, and I’m 65 years old. I was diagnosed with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer a few weeks ago. I smoked for about 25 years but quit 20 years ago. My doctor told me that surgery wasn’t an option for me but recommended chemotherapy plus another medicine. I’m hoping to get other opinions on the best therapy for me. I am scared to take chemotherapy.
Q1
How are you feeling now Wendy? Any symptoms? For example, pain, coughing, fatigue, or weight loss?
A1
No. I feel fine. I got an X-ray a couple of months ago because I fell and hurt my ribs. That was how they found the lung cancer. My ribs were hurting for a while from the fall, but that pain has gone away. I really haven’t noticed any symptoms at all.
Q2
Let’s talk about your overall health a little bit, Wendy. Do you have any other health conditions? Has anyone ever told you that you have an autoimmune disorder?
A2
No, I don’t have any other health conditions. Outside of this cancer diagnosis, I’ve been in excellent health. I do take medicine every day for low thyroid.
Q3
You have a particular type of non-small cell lung cancer called adenocarcinoma. Biomarker testing was already ordered that will help us choose the best cancer treatment for you. Did anyone discuss the results of your tumor biomarker testing with you?
A3
Yes, but could you discuss them again? I’m not sure I understood them completely. I was told that the tumor tested positive for something called PD-L1, but I’m not sure what that means.
Q4
PD-L1 is a “stop signal” that tumors can use to hide from your immune system. Immunotherapy helps your body’s immune system recognize and attack the cancer. Was immunotherapy discussed with you as a treatment option?
A4
Chemotherapy plus another medicine was recommended for me, but I’m not sure what that was. I just remember hearing chemotherapy and then not much after that. Do I have to take chemotherapy? I’m really concerned about that. I was hoping to get the same drug that my cousin is taking because it is a pill, and she is feeling well on it. But my doctor explained that the results showed I don’t have the same kind of lung cancer as her and that I will need different types of medicine. Are there other kinds of treatment that could help me?
Q5
The PD-L1 biomarker means that you are eligible for immunotherapy, which can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy. What concerns you about chemotherapy?
A5
Oh, I am so afraid to take chemotherapy. I don’t want to feel so sick and throwing up all the time, and I really don’t want to lose my hair. I’m worried I’ll be too sick to work. I don’t see the point in taking a medicine that is going to make me feel so sick when I feel fine now. That’s why I was hoping to take the medicine my cousin is taking; she doesn’t seem sick at all from her treatment.
Q6
We now have very good nausea medications to help you avoid feeling sick, and hair loss isn’t common with this type of chemotherapy. We can talk more about that, but first tell me what you have heard about immunotherapy.
A6
I’ve seen the commercials on TV. It seems that the side effects are much less with this medicine than with chemotherapy. It sounds like it works a lot better. My doctor did explain there are some side effects, but they just don’t seem like they will be as bad as chemotherapy to me. Is that true?
Q7
In general, immunotherapy used for lung cancer is pretty well tolerated. Most people don’t have too many side effects, but they can happen. What side effects do you know about?
A7
I heard that people get tired and that you can sometimes get a rash or have diarrhea. Is that serious? If it happened to me, would I still be able to work?
Q8
Immunotherapy can confuse the immune system, which leads to it attack normal cells, causing rash or diarrhea or other issues. However, the side effects usually are quite manageable. What do you do for work?
A8
I’m a seamstress. I work from home, sewing mostly decorative home goods like throw pillows, bedding, and window treatments. I sew some clothing, mostly for friends and family. I love my work; it’s like therapy for me. I need to be able to keep doing things that keep me feeling uplifted and happy. The side effects that could happen have made me nervous to start treatment. But I also want to make sure I don’t wait too long to get started before the cancer has a chance to get worse. Thank you for helping me understand my options and ways I can keep doing things that are important to me.
Patient closing
Thanks for visiting with me. I invite you to explore our ENCOMPASS and ADVANCES web sites where you will find numerous patient and clinician resources that are designed to support the care of patients with a variety of tumor types. Available tools include high-definition animations, enhanced reality encounters, in-office visual aids, support networks, and more. If you don’t have time to explore now, you can visit the websites at: https://encompass-cancer.com and https://nsclc-advances.com
This activity is provided by Med Learning Group.
This activity is supported by an independent medical education grant from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
About HyperVSN HoloHuman Experience
Holo-Avatar
Users will have the opportunity to interact with AI patients and practice their skills through simulated patient management scenarios across topics such as patient readiness, multidisciplinary care, and survivorship among many others.
The ENCOMPASS Experience:
Rapidly Evolving Evidence Drives Change in Clinical Practice for Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Learning Objectives
- Evaluate immunotherapy clinical trials findings in the first-line setting for patients with advanced NSCLC
- Apply updated treatment guidelines to the management of patients with advanced NSCLC without actionable drivers
- Describe the most common IO-related adverse events and their management in patients with NSCLC
- Establish routine communication across the oncology care team and with the patient to optimize shared decision making and involvement in overall care plan development
Patient Introduction
Hello, my name is Wendy, and I’m 65 years old. I was diagnosed with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer a few weeks ago. I smoked for about 25 years but quit 20 years ago. My doctor told me that surgery wasn’t an option for me but recommended chemotherapy plus another medicine. I’m hoping to get other opinions on the best therapy for me. I am scared to take chemotherapy.
Q1
How are you feeling now Wendy? Any symptoms? For example, pain, coughing, fatigue, or weight loss?
A1
No. I feel fine. I got an X-ray a couple of months ago because I fell and hurt my ribs. That was how they found the lung cancer. My ribs were hurting for a while from the fall, but that pain has gone away. I really haven’t noticed any symptoms at all.
Q2
Let’s talk about your overall health a little bit, Wendy. Do you have any other health conditions? Has anyone ever told you that you have an autoimmune disorder?
A2
No, I don’t have any other health conditions. Outside of this cancer diagnosis, I’ve been in excellent health. I do take medicine every day for low thyroid.
Q3
You have a particular type of non-small cell lung cancer called adenocarcinoma. Biomarker testing was already ordered that will help us choose the best cancer treatment for you. Did anyone discuss the results of your tumor biomarker testing with you?
A3
Yes, but could you discuss them again? I’m not sure I understood them completely. I was told that the tumor tested positive for something called PD-L1, but I’m not sure what that means.
Q4
PD-L1 is a “stop signal” that tumors can use to hide from your immune system. Immunotherapy helps your body’s immune system recognize and attack the cancer. Was immunotherapy discussed with you as a treatment option?
A4
Chemotherapy plus another medicine was recommended for me, but I’m not sure what that was. I just remember hearing chemotherapy and then not much after that. Do I have to take chemotherapy? I’m really concerned about that. I was hoping to get the same drug that my cousin is taking because it is a pill, and she is feeling well on it. But my doctor explained that the results showed I don’t have the same kind of lung cancer as her and that I will need different types of medicine. Are there other kinds of treatment that could help me?
Q5
The PD-L1 biomarker means that you are eligible for immunotherapy, which can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy. What concerns you about chemotherapy?
A5
Oh, I am so afraid to take chemotherapy. I don’t want to feel so sick and throwing up all the time, and I really don’t want to lose my hair. I’m worried I’ll be too sick to work. I don’t see the point in taking a medicine that is going to make me feel so sick when I feel fine now. That’s why I was hoping to take the medicine my cousin is taking; she doesn’t seem sick at all from her treatment.
Q6
We now have very good nausea medications to help you avoid feeling sick, and hair loss isn’t common with this type of chemotherapy. We can talk more about that, but first tell me what you have heard about immunotherapy.
A6
I’ve seen the commercials on TV. It seems that the side effects are much less with this medicine than with chemotherapy. It sounds like it works a lot better. My doctor did explain there are some side effects, but they just don’t seem like they will be as bad as chemotherapy to me. Is that true?
Q7
In general, immunotherapy used for lung cancer is pretty well tolerated. Most people don’t have too many side effects, but they can happen. What side effects do you know about?
A7
I heard that people get tired and that you can sometimes get a rash or have diarrhea. Is that serious? If it happened to me, would I still be able to work?
Q8
Immunotherapy can confuse the immune system, which leads to it attack normal cells, causing rash or diarrhea or other issues. However, the side effects usually are quite manageable. What do you do for work?
A8
I’m a seamstress. I work from home, sewing mostly decorative home goods like throw pillows, bedding, and window treatments. I sew some clothing, mostly for friends and family. I love my work; it’s like therapy for me. I need to be able to keep doing things that keep me feeling uplifted and happy. The side effects that could happen have made me nervous to start treatment. But I also want to make sure I don’t wait too long to get started before the cancer has a chance to get worse. Thank you for helping me understand my options and ways I can keep doing things that are important to me.
Patient closing
Thanks for visiting with me. I invite you to enter our ENCOMPASS booth to explore its numerous patient and clinician resources that are designed to support the care of patients with a variety of tumor types. Available tools include high-definition animations, enhanced reality encounters, in-office visual aids, support networks, and more. If you don’t have time to explore now, you can visit our website at: https://encompass-cancer.com
This activity is provided by Med Learning Group.
This activity is supported by an independent medical education grant from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
About HyperVSN HoloHuman Experience
Holo-Avatar
Users will have the opportunity to interact with AI patients and practice their skills through simulated patient management scenarios across topics such as patient readiness, multidisciplinary care, and survivorship among many others.