The Supportive Care and Symptom Management program supports studies on the prevention or treatment of acute and chronic symptoms and morbidities related to cancer and its treatment. This includes the impact on the quality of life of patients and their informal caregivers. The program also supports studies of patients and their caregivers at the end of life.
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About Supportive Care and Symptom Management
The program supports research in three areas: prevention or treatment of acute or chronic symptoms and morbidities related to cancer, its treatment and caregiving (symptom management research); effects on quality of life from cancer, its treatment and caregiving (quality of life research); and end-of-life psychosocial issues, caregiving and treatment strategies (end-of-life research).
Through the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP), clinical trials are underway to evaluate therapies to prevent or ameliorate a broad range of symptoms and/or toxicities associated with cancer its treatment and caregiving. Other studies funded separately are investigating a range of treatment effects on health-related quality of life and a variety of influences on the end-of-life cancer experience.
Topic Areas include: Anorexia, Cachexia, Cardiotoxicity, Caregiver Issues, Cognitive Dysfunction, Distress/Anxiety/Depression, End of Life, Fatigue, Geriatrics, Hot Flashes, Lymphedema, Medication Adherence, Mucositis, Multiple Symptoms, Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Nausea, Neuropathy, Nutrition, Oral Complications, Other Supportive Care Issues, Pain, Palliative Care, Pediatrics/Adolescents/Young Adult, Physical Functioning, Quality of Life, Skin Toxicities, Sleep Disorders, and Urinary Complications.
Selected Topics
- HEAL Initiative
- Patient Resources on Side Effects of Cancer Treatment
- Patient Resources on Coping with Cancer
Resources
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Building Bridges in Cancer Symptom Science Webinar SeriesThis series is aimed at bringing together interdisciplinary researchers in cancer symptom science to share their expertise and further discussions in the field.
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DCP Early Career Scientist Spotlight Research Seminar SeriesThis seminar series highlights nominated early career scientists who are advancing research within the areas supported by DCP.
Funding Opportunities
| Title | Announcement Number | Activity Code | Clinical Trials Status | Expiration Date | Program Official |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEAL Initiative: Studies to Enable Analgesic Discovery | RFA-NS-25-023 (R61/R33 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | R61, R33 | Clinical Trial Not Allowed | 02/20/2027 | Rachel Altshuler, Ph.D. |
Grantee Details
Clinical Trials
| Title | Intervention | Sponsor Sort descending | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Testing the Application of Mepitel Film During Radiation Therapy to Reduce Radiation Related Redness and Peeling in Breast Cancer Patients Following Mastectomy | Best Practice, Quality-of-Life Assessment, Questionnaire Administration, Wound Dressing Material | Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology | Active, not recruiting |
| Duloxetine to Prevent Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients With Stage II-III Colorectal Cancer | Duloxetine, Duloxetine Hydrochloride, Oxaliplatin, Placebo, Quality-of-Life Assessment, Questionnaire Administration | Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology | Active, not recruiting |
| Axillary Reverse Mapping in Preventing Lymphedema in Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Axillary Lymph Node Dissection | Axillary Lymph Node Dissection, Isosulfan Blue, Mapping, Quality-of-Life Assessment, Questionnaire Administration | Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology | Active, not recruiting |
| Reaching Rural Cancer Survivors Who Smoke Using Text-Based Program | Health Promotion and Education, Informational Intervention, Questionnaire Administration, Smoking Cessation Intervention | Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology | Recruiting |
| Testing the Effects of MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab) With or Without the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment for Patients 70 Years of Age and Older With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer | Carboplatin, Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, Pembrolizumab, Pemetrexed, Quality-of-Life Assessment, Questionnaire Administration | Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology | Active, not recruiting |
| Olanzapine Versus Megestrol Acetate for the Treatment of Loss of Appetite Among Advanced Cancer Patients | Megestrol Acetate, Olanzapine, Questionnaire Administration | Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology | Recruiting |
| Metformin Hydrochloride in Preventing Breast Cancer in Patients With Atypical Hyperplasia or In Situ Breast Cancer | metformin hydrochloride, placebo | Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology | Active, not recruiting |
| Increasing Patients' Engagement in Breast Cancer Surgery Decision-Making | Usual Care, Web-based decision aid | Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology | Active, not recruiting |
| Additional Support Program Via Text Messaging and Telephone-Based Counseling for Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Hormonal Therapy | Best Practice, Educational Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Quality-of-Life Assessment, Questionnaire Administration, Text Message-based Navigation Intervention | Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology | Active, not recruiting |
| Use of a Pre-Surgical Toolkit in Improving Surgical Care and Outcomes in Older Participants With Cancer | Best Practice, Informational Intervention, Informational Intervention with Coaching, Questionnaire Administration | Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology | Active, not recruiting |
News and Events
Meet the 2026 Cohort of the Early Career Scientists
Date Posted: January 23, 2026
Early Career Scientist Seminar - Drs. Choi and Liou
Date Posted: January 2, 2026
Early Career Scientist Seminar - Drs. Conley and Mazzilli
Date Posted: January 2, 2026
Early Career Scientist Seminar - Drs. Cordas dos Santos and Eksi
Date Posted: January 2, 2026
Early Career Scientist Seminar - Drs. Demb and Desai
Date Posted: January 2, 2026