Personalized oxygen therapy for cancer patients with shortness of breath

Structured Personalized Oxygen and Supportive Therapies for Dyspnea in Oncology

PHASE2; PHASE3 · M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · NCT06336642

This study is testing a new personalized oxygen therapy to see if it helps hospitalized cancer patients with shortness of breath feel better compared to standard care.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE2; PHASE3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment150 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorM.D. Anderson Cancer Center (other)
Locations1 site (Houston, Texas)
Trial IDNCT06336642 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the effects of Structured Personalized Oxygen and Supportive Therapies for Dyspnea in Oncology (SPOT-ON) on alleviating shortness of breath in hospitalized cancer patients. It aims to compare the effectiveness of SPOT-ON against Enhanced Usual Care in both hypoxemic and non-hypoxemic patients. The study will assess changes in dyspnea intensity and other patient outcomes over a 72-hour period, while also exploring factors influencing patient responses to the intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 or older with advanced cancer experiencing moderate to severe dyspnea.

Not a fit: Patients with severe hypoxemia, respiratory failure, or those requiring intensive care are unlikely to benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve the management of dyspnea in cancer patients, enhancing their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using personalized oxygen therapies for dyspnea management, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of cancer
* Age 18 or older.
* Admitted to a medical floor.
* Dyspnea intensity at rest of at least 4 on a 0-10-point NRS (where 0 = none, 10 = worst).
* Speak English or Spanish.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Hemodynamic instability requiring active Merit Team or ICU team involvement.
* Delirium as per clinical team's assessment in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
* Severe hypoxemia (SpO2 \< 90% despite supplemental oxygen of up to 6 L/min).
* Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use for obstructive sleep apnea, actively using \>10 hours a day.
* Respiratory failure necessitating mechanical ventilation (i.e., HFNC or NIV), and planned thoracentesis within 72 hours of enrollment.
* Patients with known pregnancy.

Where this trial is running

Houston, Texas

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: Dyspnea

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.