Geriatric assessments to guide cancer care for older adults with advanced cancer
Official title: Leveraging Data Linkages to Evaluate the Effects of a Geriatric Assessment Oncology Care Model in Older Adults with Advanced Cancer
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-11452992 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests a geriatric assessment–based approach to tailor cancer treatment in older adults with advanced cancer to reduce side effects and keep patients at home longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $635,825 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG097531-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11452992 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults (typically 65+) with advanced cancer who are receiving systemic cancer treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without aging-related vulnerabilities or those for whom standard care remains optimal may see limited additional benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses a validated geriatric assessment to flag aging-related issues that raise the risk of cancer treatment toxicity. Clinicians will use thresholds from the assessment to guide evidence-based recommendations, aiming to reduce treatment-related harms while maintaining effectiveness. The study builds on a scalable model where patients complete most of the GA early in care, facilitating proactive, personalized interventions. By reducing hospitalizations and keeping patients at home, it seeks to improve overall well-being and satisfaction with care. The research is conducted at the University of Rochester and involves older adults with advanced cancer and their care teams.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could lower treatment toxicity and healthcare utilization while preserving or improving survival and quality of life for older adults with advanced cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests GA-based care can reduce toxicity and improve communication, supporting potential benefits in this setting.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Magnuson, Allison Marian — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Magnuson, Allison Marian
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How aging, physical function, and health markers relate to recovery after colorectal cancer
It looks at whether physical function, a short geriatric checklist, and pre-surgery blood markers of aging predict surgery complications and quality of life for older adults with colorectal cancer.
-
Understanding how aging affects treatment outcomes in older adults with colorectal cancer
This study is looking at how getting older affects the success of treatments for older adults with colorectal cancer, so we can better personalize care and improve their quality of life.
-
Improving care for older adults living with HIV
This study is working to improve care for older adults living with HIV by creating a helpful guide that addresses their unique health and social needs, and it involves input from both patients and experts to make sure it's useful for doctors who may not specialize in elderly care.
-
HOME: Smart, compassionate AI helpers for aging at home
A research project is developing an AI-powered, multimodal system to help older adults stay safe and healthy at home while supporting busy caregivers.
-
Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Mexican Patients with Advanced Cancer
A cancer center in Mexico will test a culturally adapted therapy to help Mexican patients with advanced cancer find meaning, peace, and purpose at the end of life.
-
KDARC: Building a research backbone to study aging and kidney disease
Aimed at creating a dedicated infrastructure to advance aging-related kidney disease research so clinicians can better care for older adults.
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.