Clinical Trials

Overview

About this study

Sarcomas are rare, encompass multiple subtypes, and have few established guidelines. Geriatric assessments and screening tools are recommended as part of multi-disciplinary care for older patients with cancer, but they are not widely used in clinical practice. This pilot study will prospectively evaluate older patients (age 65 years and above) with sarcoma who are followed in the medical oncology sarcoma clinic in Rochester MN; this will include patients who are newly diagnosed or receiving systemic therapy. Patients will undergo geriatric screening as well as laboratory testing. Laboratory testing will include routine complete blood counts (CBC) that are associated with poor outcomes in sarcoma, as well as circulating senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) proteins, which are associated with frailty.

This prospective, observational pilot study will examine factors which may affect tolerability of systemic therapy (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy) in older patients with sarcoma. The study will combine clinical and laboratory monitoring of older patients (age 65 and above).  Data (including screening tools and laboratory studies) will be collected at two timepoints – when patient consents to study and at the subsequent clinic visit with imaging assessment. Review of electronic medical record will be performed to evaluate clinically significant outcomes such as adverse events, hospitalizations, as well as treatment changes (delay or dose reductions) or discontinuation.

We hypothesize that clinical screening tools and laboratory tests can help evaluate older patients (age 65 years and above) with advanced/metastatic sarcoma who may develop toxicity with therapy.

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

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