What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for lung cancer, particularly chemoradiotherapy, can lead to a range of side effects. Chemotherapy often causes nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and increased risk of infections due to lowered blood cell counts. Radiotherapy can result in skin irritation, fatigue, and localized pain. Targeted therapies, while more specific, can still cause side effects such as rash, diarrhea, and liver issues. Systemic therapies are associated with symptoms like drowsiness, low appetite, nausea, and tiredness. These side effects highlight the importance of proactive symptom management and supportive care for lung cancer patients.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

Several FDA-approved drugs have been pivotal in the treatment of lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, has shown significant improvement in overall survival and progression-free survival when combined with chemotherapy in advanced squamous NSCLC. Sotorasib and adagrasib are targeted therapies approved for KRAS G12C-mutated NSCLC, demonstrating efficacy in previously treated patients. Additionally, RET inhibitors like selpercatinib and pralsetinib are approved for RET fusion-positive NSCLC, offering substantial response rates. These treatments, by improving disease control and managing symptoms, align with the goals of proactive symptom management as explored in the 'Chatbot and Continuous Activity Monitoring' trial.

What other types of research exist?

Promising novel alternatives for lung cancer patients in 2024 include: 1) Targeted therapies and immune-checkpoint inhibitors, which have revolutionized treatment by improving survival rates and reducing tumor progression. 2) Mobile phone-based interventions and smartphone apps for symptom management and smoking cessation, which have shown effectiveness in various studies. 3) Remote patient monitoring programs using non-invasive digital technologies, which can help manage symptoms and reduce hospitalizations. 4) Telemedicine platforms for continuous patient support and management, especially useful during treatment and follow-up care.

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ChatBot Support for Cancer

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Kristine Kim, MD

Research Sponsored by Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Adults (age >18 years) with a diagnosis of a head and neck, lung, or gastrointestinal cancer, receiving concurrent chemotherapy and radiation treatment

Be older than 18 years old

Must not have

Patients who are bed bound at baseline (ECOG 4)

Patients who rely on a wheelchair for ambulation

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 13 weeks

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests a system that uses a computer program (chatbot) and activity trackers to help manage symptoms in cancer patients. By checking in with patients and monitoring their activity, the system aims to catch problems early. The goal is to reduce unnecessary emergency visits and hospital stays.

Who is the study for?

Adults over 18 with head and neck, lung, or gastrointestinal cancer undergoing chemo and radiation can join. They must own a mobile device for texts and FitBit data, read/respond in English, and consent to the study. Bed-bound patients or those needing wheelchairs for walking cannot participate.

What is being tested?

The trial is testing if using a chatbot along with activity monitoring via FitBit can help manage symptoms early on during cancer treatment. It aims to see if this reduces unnecessary clinic visits, emergency room trips, hospital stays, and treatment interruptions.

What are the potential side effects?

There are no direct medical side effects from participating as the intervention involves using technology (chatbot) for communication and activity tracking rather than medication.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Select...

I am an adult with cancer in my head, neck, lung, or gastrointestinal system and am receiving both chemotherapy and radiation.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

Select...

I am bedridden and cannot care for myself.

Select...

I use a wheelchair to get around.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 13 weeks

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~13 weeks

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 13 weeks for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Number of triage visits

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Activity Monitoring and ChatBotExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Patients will receive standard of care chemotherapy and radiation therapy regimens, activity monitoring and utilize a ChatBot

Group II: Activity Monitoring without ChatBotActive Control1 Intervention

Patients will receive standard of care chemotherapy and radiation therapy regimens, activity monitoring alone

0 / 3Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

The most common treatments for lung cancer include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy works by killing rapidly dividing cancer cells, but it can also affect healthy cells, leading to side effects. Targeted therapy involves drugs that specifically target genetic mutations or proteins that drive cancer growth, offering a more personalized treatment with potentially fewer side effects. Immunotherapy boosts the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, providing a novel approach for patients who may not respond to other treatments. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors, often used for localized control. These treatments are crucial for lung cancer patients as they can significantly impact survival and quality of life. Proactive symptom identification and management, as studied in trials using chatbots and continuous activity monitoring, can help mitigate side effects and improve treatment adherence, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.

A Review of Recent Advances in the Treatment of Elderly and Poor Performance NSCLC.Patient-Centered Outcome Measures in Lung Cancer Trials.Clinical expert guidelines for the management of cough in lung cancer: report of a UK task group on cough.