Navigation Refresh: Navigating Patients Receiving Immuno-Oncology Therapies

Welcome back to Navigation Refresh, a recurring, informative feature for novice and seasoned patient navigators alike. In this issue, we cover the role of patient navigators in immuno-oncology.

What Is Immuno-Oncology?

Immunotherapy is a newer kind of cancer treatment that helps a patient’s immune system fight cancer by stimulating the immune system to work harder and smarter to attack cancer cells.^1,2 Immunotherapies for oncology include cancer vaccines, oncolytic virus therapy, checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell therapies, cytokines, monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, and antibody–drug conjugates (Table).^3-5 Immunotherapy can be highly personalized, reducing side effects typical of chemotherapy and radiation therapy; however, immunotherapy comes with its own side effects (Box).⁶

Role of Patient Navigator in Immuno-Oncology

Regis outlined 4 major roles of a patient navigator in immuno-oncology. First, patient navigators need a basic understanding of immuno-oncology. While navigators do not have to memorize all of the immunotherapy options, understanding that side effects are different for immunotherapy is important. Second, patient navigators can work with oncologists to educate patients about immunotherapy treatments if the patient is a candidate. Third, immunotherapies are expensive. With out-of-pocket costs in the tens of thousands, navigators can play a key role in linking patients to financial specialists and/or ensuring that costs of care are discussed prior to treatment. Depending on the scope of practice of the navigator, they may provide basic financial counseling to the patient. Finally, given the heterogeneity of side effects resulting from immunotherapies, navigators can help coordinate care with specialty care providers, such as dermatologists, gastroenterologists, and pulmonologists.⁷

Alignment With PONT Standards

This edition of Navigator Refresh aligns with Standard 3 (Knowledge), Standard 5 (Interdisciplinary and Interorganizational Collaboration), and Standard 12 (Treatment, Care Planning and Intervention) of the Professional Oncology Navigation Task Force (PONT).⁸

References

1. GW Cancer Center. (PI: Pratt-Chapman). GW Oncology Patient Navigator Training: The Fundamentals. 2025. bit.ly/PNTraining
2. GW Cancer Center. (PI: Pratt-Chapman). GW Oncology Patient Navigator Training 2025 Guide. 2025. https://bit.ly/PN-Guide2025
3. Zhang M, Liu C, Tu J, et al. Advances in cancer immunotherapy: historical perspectives, current developments, and future directions. Mol Cancer. 2025;24:136.
4. National Cancer Institute. Immunotherapy to Treat Cancer. 2019. Accessed July 3, 2025. www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy#which-cancers-are-treated-with-immunotherapy
5. National Cancer Institute. Targeted Therapy to Treat Cancer. 2022. Accessed July 3, 2025. www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/targeted-therapies
6. National Cancer Institute. Immunotherapy Side Effects. 2023. Accessed July 3, 2025. www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy/side-effects
7. Regis SM. Patient navigation in immuno-oncology. Am J Manag Care. 2017;23:SP46-SP47.
8. Franklin E, Burke S, Dean M et al. Oncology Navigation Standards of Professional Practice. Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship. 2022:13:74-85.