Nursing interventions for managing treatment-related adverse effects of targeted anti-tumor therapies in adult cancer patients: a scoping review
- 1Faculty of Nursing, Al-Zaytoonah University
- 2Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University
- 3Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Salina Regional Health Center: Salina
Abstract
Background: Targeted anti-tumor therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, and immune checkpoint inhibitors, have improved clinical outcomes and survival across multiple cancers but are associated with clinically significant dermatologic, neurological, gastrointestinal, hematologic, and immune-related toxicities that compromise adherence and quality of life.
Objectives: This scoping review aimed to systematically map the available evidence on nursing interventions used to prevent, monitor, and manage adverse effects associated with targeted anti-tumor therapies in adult cancer patients.
Methods: Eligible studies were English-language publications conducted between 2015 and 2025 that focused on nurse-led or nursing-centered interventions addressing the adverse effects of targeted anti-tumor therapies in adult oncology populations. Data were charted using a standardized form and synthesized descriptively by intervention type and adverse-effect domain.
Results: Of 742 records identified, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Study designs included two quasi-experimental studies and one randomized controlled trial protocol two cohort studies, seven narrative or integrative reviews, and two clinical practice guidelines. Five principal intervention categories were identified: patient education and self-management support; nurse-led oral targeted-drug management and continuity-of-care programs; home-based multidisciplinary interventions; telephone and telehealth-based toxicity monitoring; and symptom-specific supportive-care strategies. Across diverse settings, structured nursing interventions reduced toxicity burden, improved medication adherence, decreased unplanned healthcare use, and enhanced patient-reported quality of life and psychosocial outcomes.
Conclusion: Nurse-led interventions may have an important and promising role in supporting the safe and effective use of targeted anti-tumor therapies in adults with cancer. Integrating structured education, continuity of care, multidisciplinary collaboration, and telehealth-enabled monitoring into routine oncology practice may optimize toxicity management and support treatment adherence. Further multicenter trials are needed to evaluate nursing protocols for antibody-drug conjugate-induced neuropathy and immune-related adverse events and to examine long-term clinical and economic outcomes.
Systematic Review Registration: https://osf.io/5nvfe/identifier , 5nvfe.
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BibTeX
@article{alqaisi2026nursing,
title = {{Nursing interventions for managing treatment-related adverse effects of targeted anti-tumor therapies in adult cancer patients: a scoping review}},
author = {Omar Alqaisi and Suhair Al-Ghabeesh and Mohammed Dibas and Yara Alwaqfi and Ghada Yaghmour},
journal = {Frontiers in Pharmacology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fphar.2026.1936674},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1936674/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Nursing interventions for managing treatment-related adverse effects of targeted anti-tumor therapies in adult cancer patients: a scoping review
AU - Omar Alqaisi
AU - Suhair Al-Ghabeesh
AU - Mohammed Dibas
AU - Yara Alwaqfi
AU - Ghada Yaghmour
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/20
JO - Frontiers in Pharmacology
DO - 10.3389/fphar.2026.1936674
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1936674/full
AB - Background: Targeted anti-tumor therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, and immune checkpoint inhibitors, have improved clinical outcomes and survival across multiple cancers but are associated with clinically significant dermatologic, neurological, gastrointestinal, hematologic, and immune-related toxicities that compromise adherence and quality of life. Objectives: This scoping review aimed to systematically map the available evidence on nursing interventions used to prevent, monitor, and manage adverse effects associated with targeted anti-tumor therapies in adult cancer patients. Methods: Eligible studies were English-language publications conducted between 2015 and 2025 that focused on nurse-led or nursing-centered interventions addressing the adverse effects of targeted anti-tumor therapies in adult oncology populations. Data were charted using a standardized form and synthesized descriptively by intervention type and adverse-effect domain. Results: Of 742 records identified, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Study designs included two quasi-experimental studies and one randomized controlled trial protocol two cohort studies, seven narrative or integrative reviews, and two clinical practice guidelines. Five principal intervention categories were identified: patient education and self-management support; nurse-led oral targeted-drug management and continuity-of-care programs; home-based multidisciplinary interventions; telephone and telehealth-based toxicity monitoring; and symptom-specific supportive-care strategies. Across diverse settings, structured nursing interventions reduced toxicity burden, improved medication adherence, decreased unplanned healthcare use, and enhanced patient-reported quality of life and psychosocial outcomes. Conclusion: Nurse-led interventions may have an important and promising role in supporting the safe and effective use of targeted anti-tumor therapies in adults with cancer. Integrating structured education, continuity of care, multidisciplinary collaboration, and telehealth-enabled monitoring into routine oncology practice may optimize toxicity management and support treatment adherence. Further multicenter trials are needed to evaluate nursing protocols for antibody-drug conjugate-induced neuropathy and immune-related adverse events and to examine long-term clinical and economic outcomes. Systematic Review Registration: https://osf.io/5nvfe/identifier , 5nvfe.
SN - 1663-9812
ER -