Understanding the psychosocial challenges faced by young cancer survivors
Official title: Psychosocial Risk in Young Survivors of Early Onset Pediatric Cancer: The Role of Physical and Neurocognitive Late Effects
Funded at Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp · NIH-11026345 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how young kids who survived early cancer, especially those who had treatments that impacted their brains, deal with feelings of loneliness and trouble making friends, so we can find better ways to help them feel happier and more connected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project start | February 9, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $690,907 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA248103-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11026345 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young survivors of pediatric cancer, particularly those diagnosed before age 6 and who have received CNS-directed therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who were diagnosed with cancer after age 11 or those who have not undergone CNS-directed therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the psychosocial risks experienced by young survivors of early onset pediatric cancer, particularly focusing on those who have undergone treatments affecting the brain. It aims to understand how physical and neurocognitive late effects contribute to social isolation, emotional distress, and difficulties in forming friendships. By examining the residual deficits in social cognition, the study seeks to identify the underlying reasons for these challenges and develop targeted interventions to improve psychosocial outcomes for these children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved support and interventions for young cancer survivors, enhancing their social interactions and emotional well-being.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on adult survivors of pediatric cancer, this specific focus on young children and their unique psychosocial challenges is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gerhardt, Cynthia a — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Gerhardt, Cynthia a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Deep profiling of how fusion-driven pediatric cancers spread, using single-cell protein tools
Researchers will develop fast, highly capable single-cell protein measurements to understand how certain pediatric cancers, like Ewing sarcoma, spread and evade the immune system.
-
Radiation therapy and data science to help kids with cancer
Scientists from two top cancer centers are teaming up to make radiation for pediatric cancers more powerful and precise, using data science to guide treatment for children with two tough tumors.
-
Targeting childhood cancer vulnerabilities with CRISPR-based screens
A pediatric cancer research project uses CRISPR screens to find new, druggable weaknesses in childhood leukemias to guide safer, targeted therapies.
-
Genetic links between birth anomalies and childhood cancer in kids and young people
This grant tests how inherited birth defects and genetic factors may increase the risk of cancer in children and teens, using real-world birth and cancer data to understand shared genetics.
-
A living-cell detector for ALT-related biomarkers in pediatric bone cancers
A new, cell-based tool will help scientists see ALT activity in cancer cells from pediatric tumors, potentially guiding future therapies.
-
Using children's tumor protein and genetic data to find better treatments
This project analyzes tumor DNA, RNA, proteins, and protein modifications to find potential treatment targets for children with brain tumors and leukemias.
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.