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 | Status Sort descending |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| To Evaluate if Green Tea Can be Effective in Reducing the Progression of Prostate Cancer in Men on Close Monitoring | Placebo Administration, Quality-of-Life Assessment, Questionnaire Administration, Sinecatechins | ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group | 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 |
| Pregnancy Outcome and Safety of Interrupting Therapy for Women With Endocrine Responsive Breast Cancer | Endocrine therapy interruption | ETOP IBCSG Partners Foundation | Active, not recruiting |
| Computer Training Program for Younger Patients With a Brain Tumor Who Underwent Radiation Therapy | Cognitive Assessment, Computer-Assisted Cognitive Training, Psychosocial Assessment and Care, Quality-of-Life Assessment, Questionnaire Administration | Children's Oncology Group | Active, not recruiting |
| Reproductive Health Program in Patients With Cancer | Standard practice related to reproductive heath, Training modules, algorithm, referral development | ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group | Active, not recruiting |
| A Study to See if Memantine Protects the Brain During Radiation Therapy Treatment for a Brain Tumor | Biospecimen Collection, Cognitive Assessment, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Memantine Hydrochloride, Placebo Administration, Questionnaire Administration | Children's Oncology Group | Active, not recruiting |
| Mobile Health and Social Media Physical Activity Intervention Among Adolescent and Young Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors, the StepByStep Study | Educational Intervention, FitBit, Goal Setting, Health Promotion and Education, Media Intervention, Telephone-Based Intervention | Children's Oncology Group | Active, not recruiting |
| Nutrition Therapy in Improving Immune System in Patients With Bladder Cancer That Can Be Removed by Surgery | Laboratory Biomarker Analysis, Nutritional Intervention, Placebo Administration, Quality-of-Life Assessment, Questionnaire Administration | SWOG Cancer Research Network | 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 |
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