Helping cancer survivors manage symptoms and reduce distress during treatment
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-11078665 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a helpful phone system that lets cancer survivors share their symptoms each week, so their healthcare team can quickly support them, especially if they're feeling really stressed, making it easier for them to manage their health during treatment.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $643,900 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA263714-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078665 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are cancer survivors who are within 12 weeks of starting immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and are experiencing elevated psychological distress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently undergoing treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors or those without significant psychological distress may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the management of symptoms experienced by cancer survivors undergoing treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. It utilizes an Automated Telephone Symptom Management system that allows patients to report their symptoms weekly, which helps healthcare providers monitor and address any issues promptly. The study involves a randomized trial design, where participants may receive additional support if their psychological distress remains high. The goal is to empower survivors with effective self-management strategies and timely communication with their healthcare team.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better symptom management and reduced psychological distress for cancer survivors on immune checkpoint inhibitors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that similar approaches to symptom management and patient self-reporting can lead to improved outcomes, indicating potential success for this study.
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
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Adaptive symptom self-management to ease distress for cancer survivors on immune checkpoint inhibitors
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.
-
Mobile app to help family caregivers in Thailand manage distress
A mobile app called CAMMA would help family members caring for adults with chronic illnesses in Thailand feel less depressed and anxious through a culturally tailored mental health support program.
-
Caregiver Mental Health Mobile App (CAMMA) for family caregivers of adults with chronic disorders
A mobile app in Thailand aims to support family caregivers of adults with chronic conditions by reducing depression and anxiety through an evidence-based mental health program.
-
Phone app to spot and support emotional distress in family caregivers
Researchers are creating a Thai-language phone app to help family members who care for adults with chronic illnesses notice early stress and get brief mental-health support.
-
Including informal caregivers in a video-based meditation to ease distress for breast cancer survivors
A caregiver-inclusive online compassion-meditation program is being tested to help breast cancer survivors feel less anxiety and depression.
-
Coping skills program to help COPD patients and caregivers feel better together
A COPD-focused program tests whether teaching coping skills to patients and their caregivers reduces stress, anxiety, and distress over 12 weekly remote sessions.
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.