Adaptive symptom self-management to ease distress for cancer survivors on immune checkpoint inhibitors
Official title: Adaptive Symptom Self-Management to Reduce Psychological Distress and Improve Symptom Management for Survivors on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11326259 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests a phone-based symptom-monitoring program, with tailored support, to help cancer survivors on immune checkpoint inhibitors feel less distressed and manage side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $634,069 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA263714-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11326259 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cancer who are starting immune checkpoint inhibitors and experiencing elevated psychological distress within 12 weeks of treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with low distress or those not using immune checkpoint inhibitors may not directly benefit from this specific intervention.
What this research studies
If you are a cancer survivor starting immune checkpoint inhibitors, you may be invited to join a sequential randomization study that uses weekly automated phone check-ins about symptoms. Depending on how you respond, you could receive additional support designed to boost your confidence in managing symptoms and communicating with your healthcare team. The program sends symptom summaries to your doctors and provides you with easy-to-use self-management tips and a printed handbook. The goal is to reduce psychological distress and keep treatment on track by catching problems early. The study is being led by researchers at the University of Arizona and will enroll a diverse group of participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Participants could experience better symptom control and lower distress, potentially reducing treatment interruptions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous similar symptom-monitoring approaches have shown improvements in symptom management and engagement with care.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Badger, Terry a — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Badger, Terry a
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.