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.
On This Page
- All Heading 2s will automatically be pulled in to this list.
- Do not edit the content on this template.
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
-
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.
-
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Understanding Needs of Older Patients Prior to Starting Cancer Treatment | Assessment, Educational Intervention, Electronic Health Record Review, Internet-Based Intervention, Interview, Survey Administration | Wake Forest University Health Sciences | Enrolling by invitation |
| Surgical Thromboprophylaxis Practices in Oncology Patients Within the NCORP Network, STOP-VTE Study | Non-Interventional Study | Wake Forest University Health Sciences | Recruiting |
| Distance-Based Exercise to Preserve Function and Prevent Disability | Accelerometry, Aerobic Exercise Intervention, Electronic Health Record Review, Exercise Intervention, Exercise intervention, Interview, Questionnaire Administration, Telemedicine | Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology | Recruiting |
| Xylitol Dental Wipes for the Reduction of Bloodstream Infection Risk in Children With Acute Myeloid Leukemia | Best Practice, Biospecimen Collection, Cytarabine, Electronic Health Record Review, Placebo Administration, Xylitol-containing Oral Wipe | Children's Oncology Group | Recruiting |
| The MIND-BC Study: MIND Diet for Breast Cancer Cognition | MIND Diet, Usual Diet | H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute | Recruiting |
| Mosaic Trial for Stem Cell Transplant Recipients | Enhanced Usual Care (Control) Website, Intervention website | Northwestern University | Recruiting |
| Communication About Sexual Health in Gynecologic Cancer | Sexual Health Resources, Starting the Conversation | Fox Chase Cancer Center | Recruiting |
| Lanreotide Versus Placebo Before Surgery to Prevent a Surgical Complication Called a Pancreatic Fistula | Biospecimen Collection, Distal Pancreatectomy, Lanreotide, Questionnaire Administration, Saline | SWOG Cancer Research Network | Recruiting |
| A Pilot Unrestricted Payment Program for Early-stage Cancer Patients: the PAYMENT Trial | Electronic Health Record Review, Interview, Support, Survey Administration | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center | Recruiting |
| E-Mindfulness Approaches for Living After Breast Cancer | Meditation Only Control Group, Mindfulness (MAPs) Digital App, Mindfulness (MAPs) Live Online | NRG Oncology | Recruiting |
News and Events
Leveraging Translational Models to Advance Cancer Symptom Research
Date Posted: July 29, 2026
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