Mobile app to help teens and young adults take their daily oral leukemia medicine
Official title: Using Real Time Mobile Health Approaches to Understand and Promote Oral Chemotherapy Adherence in Adolescents and Young Adults With Leukemia
Run by Northwestern University · NCT03932903 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests a smartphone app that sends tailored reminders and messages to help adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoblastic lymphoma take their daily 6-mercaptopurine during maintenance therapy.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 14 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Northwestern University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 31, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | August 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | June 30, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT03932903 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are English-speaking adolescents and young adults aged 14–29 with ALL or lymphoblastic lymphoma who are in maintenance therapy, prescribed 6-mercaptopurine, and able to use an Android or Apple smartphone (with caregiver consent if under 18).
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are not in maintenance, not prescribed 6-MP, have significant cognitive impairments that limit participation, lack a compatible smartphone, or already have perfect adherence are unlikely to benefit from the intervention.
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 two-month pilot using electronic pill caps to monitor baseline adherence for 28 days, followed by a 28-day micro-randomized just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) called ADAPTS. ADAPTS delivers daily ecological momentary assessments and contextually tailored messages to adolescents and young adults, with a parallel caregiver app option. The micro-randomized design randomizes message delivery elements over time to learn which prompts help most in real-world moments. The app is available for Android and Apple devices and collects participant feedback on each message to refine support.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could improve daily 6-MP adherence in AYAs and thereby reduce the risk of relapse during maintenance therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Similar mobile reminder and JITAI approaches have shown promise for improving adherence in chronic illnesses and some oncology contexts, but a micro-randomized JITAI targeting AYA 6-MP adherence is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
AYA Inclusion Criteria: * Ages 14-29 * Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or lymphoma * In the maintenance phase, completed at least one cycle and has at least one month of maintenance therapy remaining. * Prescribed 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) * English language proficiency * For AYA \<18, must have informed consent from their caregiver. AYA Exclusion Criteria: * Cognitive impairments that would limit ability to complete measures, determined by the medical team * Absence of inclusion criteria above. Caregiver Inclusion Criteria: * Nominated by the AYA as a primary caregiver involved in cancer care (can be a parent, relative, partner, friend) * English language proficiency Caregiver Exclusion Criteria: \- Absence of inclusion criteria above.
Where it's running
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Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Alexandra M Psihogios, Ph.D. — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Alexandra M Psihogios, Ph.D.
- Email: alex.psihogios@northwestern.edu
- Phone: 312-503-3577
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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.