Oral Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 2α Inhibitor Belzutifan in Ocular von Hippel-Lindau Disease: Subgroup Analysis of the Single-Arm Phase 2 LITESPARK-004 Study.
Authors: Wiley HE, Srinivasan R, Maranchie JK, Chhablani J, Iversen ABB, Kruse A, Jonasch E, Gombos DS, Else T, Demirci H, Maughan BL, Hartnett ME, Coleman HR, Fu W, Perini RF, Liu Y, Linehan WM, Chew EY, LITESPARK-004 Investigator Group - Ocular VHL
Journal: Ophthalmology
mental health
psychology
open access
Abstract
Radiotherapy is an essential component in the multi-modal management of various paediatric malignancies , . Despite its therapeutic efficacy, the experience of radiotherapy often induces severe distress in young patients . Children are routinely confronted with unfamiliar medical technology, complex positioning, restrictive immobilisation devices, and mandatory separation from parents during treatment delivery. These factors contribute to anxiety, fear, and reduced cooperation during simulation and treatment delivery , . Paediatric patients frequently lack the cognitive development to comprehend the rationale behind high-precision treatment or the mechanics of radiation delivery. When clinical procedures are perceived as threatening or incomprehensible, emotional distress escalates. This elevated anxiety frequently necessitates pharmacological sedation or general anaesthesia to ensure the absolute immobility required for accurate imaging and radiation delivery , . In recent years, the paradigm of person-centred care in radiation oncology has emphasised the necessity of balancing technical precision with comprehensive psychosocial support. In paediatric oncology, play-based education, therapeutic storytelling, and the introduction of familiar objects are recognised as effective modalities to enhance engagement and mitigate distress , , .