The Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research (RTFCCR) is supporting the opening of a new clinical trial at the University Health Network, Toronto, Canada. The trial, led by Dr Shabbir Alibhai, aims at improving the care of older patients suffering from metastatic prostate cancer and undergoing androgen receptor axis-targeted agents (ARATs) therapy. This new class of therapeutics improves survival but cause substantial side effects, particularly in older men, reducing the quality of life (QOL), and potentially leading to premature stopping of treatment. The current care consists of access to a nurse triage telephone line and clinic visits once every 1-3 months.
Dr Alibhai will test the feasibility and efficacy in improving quality of Life and reducing severe side effects of treatment (including hospitalization) of 2 different types of care, alone and in combination: remote symptom monitoring (RSM) and geriatric assessment and management (GA+M). Men who receive GA+M will get recommendations and monthly follow up from an oncology nurse. The nurse will also connect them to community resources if needed (e.g. physiotherapy, dietitian). Men assigned to RSM will have symptom monitoring weekly online or by telephone and symptom management will be provided by an oncology nurse, if needed. The control group will receive usual care. 168 patients age 70 or older will be recruited in 2 centers in Canada.
RTFCCR strongly believes in improving treatment options and quality of care for cancer patients, in particular for more vulnerable populations. This grant has the potential to have direct, significant impact on the quality of life of older men dealing with metastatic prostate cancer.
“This clinical trial represents a further step in RTFCCR’s commitment to support the care of elderly people through their journey against cancer” says the CEO from RTFCCR about TOPCOP3 project.
“I am really excited to launch this trial to test two innovative supportive care strategies to improve the cancer journey for older men with advanced prostate cancer with the help of the Rising Tide Foundation” says Dr. Alibhai
