Meaning-Centered Therapy for Latinos for adults with advanced cancer
Official title: Trial of Meaning Centered Psychotherapy for Mexican Patients With Advanced Cancer
Run by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · NCT07225309 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Latinos (MCP-L) can reduce anxiety and depression and improve quality of life compared with CBT in Spanish-speaking adults with advanced cancer.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (New York, New York and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | April 13, 2029 |
| Study ends | April 13, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | August 3, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07225309 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (18+) with pathologically confirmed breast, prostate, colorectal, thyroid, cervix, uterus, or lung cancer at stage III or IV, who are Spanish-speaking and receiving ambulatory care at INCan.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who do not respond to psychotherapy or who have conditions that preclude participation in talk-therapy sessions may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The trial compares MCP-L to cognitive behavioral therapy in Spanish-speaking adults with solid tumors at advanced stages. Participants are adults 18+ who are receiving ambulatory care at INCan and must be able to read and communicate in Spanish. The study uses an EMR review, a self-report screener, and suicide risk assessment to determine eligibility. Researchers will also explore participant and provider perspectives on therapy design, outside factors, and resources to understand what influences MCP-L effectiveness. No phase information is provided for this interventional study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, MCP-L could reduce anxiety and depression and enhance quality of life for Spanish-speaking patients with advanced cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests meaning-centered approaches may benefit psychosocial distress in cancer, but this study applies MCP-L specifically to Latino populations in a cross-cultural setting.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Patient Eligibility Criteria: A patient cannot be considered eligible for this study unless ALL of the following conditions are met. Participant eligibility will be determined by an initial EMR review followed by a self-report screener and suicide risk assessment. Inclusion Criteria: EMR Criteria \- Documentation of Disease * Pathologically confirmed breast, prostate, colorectal, thyroid, cervix, uteri, or lung - solid tumor cancer (either most recent or new diagnosis) * Definition of Disease \[or Measurable Disease\] * Diagnosed with stages III or IV * Prior Treatment * Receiving ambulatory care at INCan Self-Report Criteria * Age ≥ 18 years * Able to read and communicate in Spanish determined by the question: "Can you read and communicate in Spanish? Yes/No" * Professional role of administrators, clinicians (e.g., oncologists), mental health providers, supervised therapists-in-training (e.g., graduate students), or other related provider delivering the MCP-L experimental intervention * Providing care (or services) to Mexican cancer patients at INCan * Has access to internet and an electronic device * Agrees to be audio-recorded Exclusion Criteria: EMR Criteria * Prior Treatment * Received psychological or psychiatric care at INCan in the last 3 months * In the judgment of the treating physician, protocol investigators, and/or study staff, presence of cognitive impairment (e.g., delirium or dementia) sufficient to preclude meaningful informed consent and/or study participation * Diagnosed with a serious psychiatric condition Self-Report Criteria * Received psychological or psychiatric care outside of INCan in the last 3 months * Presence of suicide risk determined by the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale * Too ill to participate determined by the question: "Do you feel too ill to participate because of communication problems, uncontrollable pain, or other symptoms that prevent you from participating?" Provider Eligibility Criteria: Inclusion Criteria Self-Report Criteria * Age ≥ 18 years * Able to read and communicate in Spanish determined by the question: "Can you read and communicate in Spanish? Yes/No" * Professional role of administrators, clinicians (e.g., oncologists), mental health providers, supervised therapists-in-training (e.g., graduate students), or other related provider delivering the MCP-L experimental intervention * Providing care (or services) to Mexican cancer patients at INCan * Has access to internet and an electronic device * Agrees to be audio-recorded
Where it's running
-
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, United States Recruiting -
Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INCan)
Mexico City, Mexico Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Devika Jutagir, PhD — Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Devika Jutagir, PhD
- Email: jutagird@mskcc.org
- Phone: 646-888-8361
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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.