Assessing cognitive and quality of life issues in advanced cancer survivors treated with immunotherapy

Longitudinal Neurocognitive, Psychosocial and Health-related Quality of Life Assessment in Advanced Cancer Survivors Treated With Immunotherapy and the Efficacy of Integrative Neurocognitive Remediation Therapy

NA · Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel · NCT05667857

This study is testing a new therapy to see if it can help advanced cancer survivors who have received immunotherapy improve their mental health and cognitive challenges.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (other)
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy
Locations2 sites (Brussels, Brussels Capital and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05667857 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to longitudinally evaluate the psychosocial and neurocognitive challenges faced by advanced cancer survivors who have undergone immunotherapy. It will identify survival-related problems and assess the effectiveness of an Integrative Neuro-Cognitive Remediation Therapy (INCRT) program. The focus will be on outcomes such as emotional well-being, fatigue, fear of recurrence, and cognitive function. Participants will include those with confirmed normalization on PET scans and varying degrees of cognitive impairment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are advanced cancer survivors who have completed immunotherapy at least one year ago and are experiencing cognitive issues.

Not a fit: Patients with severe non-cancer-related psychiatric disorders may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve the quality of life and cognitive function for advanced cancer survivors treated with immunotherapy.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of integrating neurocognitive remediation therapy is relatively novel, preliminary findings suggest that psychosocial and cognitive issues in cancer survivors are significant, indicating a need for such interventions.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Non-intervention group:

   * Provision of written informed consent
   * Diagnosed with advanced cancer of any type
   * Initiated immunotherapy (Anti-PD1, Anti-PDL1, CTLA-4, …) at least one year ago
   * Have a confirmed normalization on whole-body 18F-FDG PET
   * English, Dutch or French-speaking
2. Integrative neurocognitive remediation therapy group:

   * Provision of written informed consent
   * Objective cognitive impairment and/or subjective cognitive complaints
   * Confirmed normalization on whole-body 18F-FDG PET for patients (cohort 1)
   * Disease-free (cohort 2) or no active disease for patients with CNS tumors (cohort 3)
   * Having received a cancer therapy of any kind
   * Having ended cancer treatment (immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, …) with an exception of ongoing adjuvant hormone therapy
   * Dutch or French speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

* severe co-morbid non cancer-related psychiatric disorders such as psychosis, obsessive compulsive disorders, eating disorders etc., patients with cognitive impairment related to dementia, and patients that are physically or mentally not able to fill in the questionnaires

Where this trial is running

Brussels, Brussels Capital and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Cognitive Remediation, Neuropsychology, Quality of Life, Psycho-Oncology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cancer Survivors, Immunotherapy, Cognitive Dysfunction

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.