What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for cancer survivorship, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, can lead to a range of side effects. These include cardiotoxicity, infertility, cataracts, and an increased risk of secondary cancers. Survivors may also experience neurocognitive dysfunction, endocrinopathies, depression, fatigue, and anxiety. Specific complications depend on the patient's age and the type and intensity of therapy received. For example, neurocognitive decline is more likely in children who received CNS radiotherapy, while decreased fertility is more common among adolescents treated with alkylating agents. The trial Penny aims to assist survivors in managing these late effects and reengaging with the healthcare system for follow-up care.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

While there are no specific FDA approvals mentioned for digital health tools like the 'Penny' bidirectional conversational agent, digital health interventions have increasingly been recognized for their potential in cancer survivorship care. These tools aim to improve follow-up care, patient engagement, and adherence to medical appointments. Examples include mobile health applications and telehealth services that assist with scheduling, reminders, and patient education. These interventions are part of a broader movement towards integrating technology in healthcare to enhance patient outcomes and streamline care processes.

What other types of research exist?

Promising alternatives to Penny for survivorship patients include IBM Watson for Oncology, which provides evidence-based treatment recommendations and patient management support, and integrated models combining molecular tumor boards with decision support systems. These tools leverage AI to enhance patient care and engagement, making them suitable for managing follow-up care and scheduling medical appointments.

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Mobile Chatbot Support for Cancer Survivor Care

N/A

Recruiting

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

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 1 year

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests a chatbot called 'Penny' to help cancer survivors who haven't had follow-up care in a long time. 'Penny' sends text reminders to schedule and attend medical appointments, aiming to reengage these patients with the healthcare system.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for adult survivors of childhood and young adult cancers (diagnosed from birth to age 39) who haven't had follow-up care in over 3 years. Participants must own a mobile device capable of SMS texts, speak English, consent to the study, and have their oncology team's approval.

What is being tested?

The study tests 'Penny,' a chatbot designed to help cancer survivors reengage with healthcare by aiding in scheduling appointments and necessary medical procedures. It will be compared against the standard follow-up care practices.

What are the potential side effects?

Since 'Penny' is a digital conversational agent used for communication purposes rather than a medication or therapy, there are no direct physical side effects associated with its use.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 1 year

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~1 year

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 1 year 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 patients who agree to use Penny and patient engagement overtime in those patients randomized to the Penny arm

To evaluate the utilization of a chatbot (Penny) to increase receipt of evidence-based survivorship care in YA survivors of pediatric and YA cancers

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: Penny text-messaging programExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Group II: Usual CareActive Control1 Intervention

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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

Survivorship care for cancer patients involves regular follow-up, monitoring for recurrence, managing long-term side effects, and coordinating care between specialists and primary care providers. The use of a bidirectional conversational agent like Penny can significantly enhance this process by facilitating timely scheduling of medical appointments, lab work, and scans. This ensures that survivors remain engaged with their healthcare, receive necessary surveillance, and address any emerging health issues promptly. Effective follow-up and care coordination are crucial for improving long-term outcomes and quality of life for survivorship patients.

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