Better step-by-step cancer treatment plans
Next-generation SMARTs for Discovery and Evaluation of Sequential Cancer Therapeutic Strategies
This project develops better methods to compare and improve step-by-step treatment plans for people with breast and other cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238072 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a patient, you could be enrolled in trials that randomize you at several treatment decision points so researchers can learn which sequences of therapies and supports work best. The team will combine existing cancer data, computer simulations, and new trial designs like platform and response-adaptive methods to test many stepwise treatment rules more efficiently. They aim to produce clear decision rules clinicians can use as your condition and response to therapy change over time. These methods would guide future cancer trials to personalize care across the whole course of treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with breast cancer or other cancers who are eligible for clinical trials that can adjust treatments over time and who are willing to be randomized at multiple decision points.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to cancer, those not eligible for clinical trials, or those seeking a single fixed treatment plan are unlikely to benefit directly from this methods-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to personalized sequences of therapies and supportive care that improve long-term outcomes and reduce harms for cancer patients.
How similar studies have performed: Several SMARTs have already been carried out in cancer and other areas with promising findings, and this project seeks to extend and improve those approaches.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Laber, Eric Benjamin — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Laber, Eric Benjamin
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 below.