Assessing frailty to improve treatment for older patients with blood cancers
Official title: Prospective Analysis of Frailty Phenotype Assessments to Optimize Treatment Strategies for Older Patients With Hematologic Malignancies
Run by Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine · NCT03680677 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if checking how frail older patients with blood cancers are can help doctors choose better treatments for them.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 60 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | CAR T, chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 21, 2018 |
| Main results expected | September 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | November 2027 |
| Registry record updated | August 12, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT03680677 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are individuals aged 60 years or older with a new or suspected diagnosis of acute leukemia or MDS, or those planning to undergo specific blood or marrow transplantation therapies.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients younger than 60 years or those without a hematologic malignancy may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to evaluate whether frailty assessments can predict the outcomes of older patients (aged 60 and above) diagnosed with acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) after undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy, or allogeneic stem cell transplantation. By analyzing the frailty phenotype, the study seeks to optimize treatment strategies tailored to the individual needs of these patients. The research will involve collecting data on patients' health status and treatment responses to enhance decision-making in clinical settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more personalized and effective treatment plans for older patients with hematologic malignancies.
How similar studies have gone: While frailty assessments in older cancer patients are being explored, this specific approach to optimize treatment strategies in hematologic malignancies is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Eligibility Criteria Arm A: * Age 60 years or older. * New diagnosis of Acute Leukemia or MDS, or suspected diagnosis. * Able to consent to the study. Eligibility Criteria Arm B: * Age 60 years or older with a hematologic malignancy. * Plan to undergo an allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation or CAR T-cell therapy. * Able to consent to the study.
Where it's running
-
Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Shannon McCurdy, MD — Abramson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Shannon McCurdy, MD
- Email: penncancertrials@emergingmed.com
- Phone: 855-216-0098
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.