CHOICES: How different ways of explaining treatment options affect care planning for advanced cancer
Official title: Communicating Health Options to Inform Care and Empower Strategic Care Planning (CHOICES): A Multi-layer Randomized Case Vignette Study.
Run by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · NCT06722846 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test different ways of explaining risks, benefits, time commitment, prognosis, doctors' recommendations, and costs to people with advanced cancer to see if that information changes their preference for palliative systemic therapy.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 400 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 21, 2024 |
| Main results expected | August 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | August 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | October 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06722846 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (≥18) with metastatic, relapsed, or otherwise incurable solid tumors or aggressive lymphoma who have received two or more lines of palliative systemic therapy and are seen at MD Anderson's Thoracic or Lymphoma Oncology clinics, and who speak English.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with cognitive impairment requiring a surrogate, non-English speakers, individuals not treated or followed at the specified MD Anderson clinics, or those earlier in their disease course may not benefit from participation or the study findings.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a multi-layer randomized case vignette study enrolling adults with advanced solid tumors or aggressive lymphoma who have received at least two lines of palliative systemic therapy and are seen at MD Anderson Thoracic or Lymphoma clinics. Participants are presented randomized case vignettes that vary which pieces of medical information (risks/benefits, time toxicity, prognosis, oncologist recommendation, costs) are provided and in what order. The primary outcome is preference for palliative systemic therapy after exposure to different information sets; secondary and exploratory aims examine specific information elements, order effects, and associations with patient characteristics such as symptoms, mood, illness understanding, coping, trust, and financial distress. No therapeutic interventions are administered—data are collected via the randomized vignette responses and baseline questionnaires to understand how information framing influences choices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help clinicians communicate information in ways that better align treatment choices with patients' goals and improve decision satisfaction and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous communication and decision-making studies have shown that how risks, benefits, and costs are presented can change patient choices, but randomized vignette studies that test multiple information elements and order are relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of advanced solid tumor (i.e. metastatic, relapsed, and/or incurable disease) or aggressive lymphoma. * Age 18 or greater * Seen at MD Anderson Cancer Center Thoracic and Lymphoma Oncology Clinics for a follow-up visit * Been treated with at least 2 lines of palliative systemic cancer therapies Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of cognitive impairment or dementia requiring a surrogate decision maker * Non-English speaking
Where it's running
-
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: David Hui, MD — M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: David Hui, MD
- Email: dhui@mdanderson.org
- Phone: 713-792-6258
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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.