NIH-funded research R37 grant

Predicting how function, thinking, and life quality change in older adults with advanced lung cancer

Official title: Predicting trajectories of function, cognition, and quality of life among older adults with advanced lung cancer

Funded at Kaiser Foundation Research Institute · NIH-11401395 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project aims to better predict how older adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer will fare in daily living, thinking, and overall well‑being during treatment.

Quick facts

Grant typeR37 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionKaiser Foundation Research Institute
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Oakland, UNITED STATES)
Project startAugust 25, 2025
Project endJuly 31, 2030
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$656,459
NIH project number5R37CA306402-02
Project IDNIH-11401395 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Older adults (typically 65+) with advanced non-small cell lung cancer considering or receiving treatment, especially those concerned about impact on daily living and cognition.

Less likely to help

Patients unlikely to benefit are those not considering treatment choices or not interested in survivorship outcomes like function or cognition.

What this research studies

Older adults with non-small cell lung cancer often experience more treatment-related toxicity, which can affect their ability to function, think clearly, and enjoy life. The project seeks to develop patient-centered predictions of how these survivorship outcomes unfold over time, helping patients and doctors choose treatments that balance effectiveness with quality of life. Researchers will use data from diverse older patients to identify factors that influence trajectories of function, cognition, and quality of life during therapy, including immunotherapy with or without chemotherapy. The goal is to provide personalized information to support shared decision-making for treatment options in advanced cancer. This work could lead to better guidance on who might tolerate specific therapies and when supportive care or alternative strategies are appropriate.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Patients could receive more personalized information to choose treatments that preserve function and quality of life.

How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown promise in identifying factors that influence treatment tolerance and quality of life, though this exact trajectory prediction approach is developing.

Where this research is happening

  • Kaiser Foundation Research Institute
    Oakland, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Wong, Melisa L — Kaiser Foundation Research Institute
  • Study coordinator: Wong, Melisa L

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.