Clinical Research Directory

Comprehensive Care for AYA: Needs Assessment Survey

The goal of this observational study is to assess gaps in education about exercise, sexual health, fertility, survivorship, financial issues, interpersonal relationships, and clinical trial participation among adolescents and young adults with cancer. Participants will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires.

Exercise in Adolescents With Cancer

The investigators will study the effects of an supevised exercise intervention along the duration of intensive treatment (neoadjuvant \[solid tumours\]/intense chemotherapy \[leukemias\], expected median duration 5-6 months) on several health-related variables. Participants will be recruited from 4 hospitals in Madrid (Spain). Inclusion criteria: male/female aged 12-19 years, newly diagnosed--or relapse of-- a malignant extracranial tumour; not having received any type of therapy--except surgery--at the time of diagnosis; adequate health status (Karnofsky/Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale score ≥50/≤2); to understand Spanish language and to provide written informed consent. The investigators will recruit ≥136 participants and conduct a randomised controlled trial. The intervention group will follow a supervised concurrent exercise program from the start to the end of intensive treatment. The exercise intervention will be performed in the hospital gymnasium or in the patients' ward (during neutropenic phases), and will also include supervised online sessions. Additionally, the intervention group will perform include inspiratory muscle training. The following outcomes will be assessed at baseline (diagnosis), end of treatment, and at 3-month follow-up in all participants: echocardiography-determined left ventricular function (primary outcome); and other echocardiography-determined variables, cardiac biomarkers, blood pressure, blood lipids, body composition, physical activity levels, energy intake, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, functional mobility, health-related quality of life, cancer-related fatigue, clinical variables, and potential biological underpinnings of exercise multisystemic benefits (metabolic and inflammatory markers, plasma proteome, gut microbiome, and immune function).

Life at 100.4: An Immersive Social Virtual Reality (VR) Education Tool for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients and Caregivers

The purpose of this study is to design and Beta test the Life at 100.4, an immersive social virtual reality education tool, with an anticipated 5 patient-caregiver-provider triads.Patients at Yale Pediatric Hematology and Oncology with a new oncologic diagnosis and their caregivers will be eligible for enrollment. Investigators will determine the feasibility and acceptability of implementing Life at 100.4 using validated measures.

CAYA Cancer Retrospective Cohort Study

Despite advances in cancer treatment, significant disparities in outcomes persist between high-income countries (HICs) and low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Around 80% of children with cancer live in LMICs, where they face challenges such as delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, comorbidities, distance to treatment, financial barriers, and limited access to risk-adapted therapies. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL)/lymphoblastic lymphoma(LBL), for example, is one of the greatest success stories in pediatric oncology, however, such improvements are not evenly distributed worldwide, and the outcomes for leukemia patients are poorer in LMICs compared to HICs, primarily due to reduced access to quality healthcare. This study aims to assess cancer treatment outcomes in LMICs, focusing on acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma. The findings will inform future studies to implement evidence-based interventions that improve care quality and reduce treatment failures through targeted strategies.

CesiKids Trial: Enhancing Psychological Resilience in Adolescents With Cancer

This study will develop and evaluate a mobile-based co-design intervention (CesiKids) to enhance psychosocial resilience in hospitalized adolescents aged 12-18 diagnosed with cancer. The program will be created using Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory and designed in collaboration with nurses, recovered adolescents, and parents. A randomized controlled design will be used. The intervention group will participate in a four-week structured program, while the control group will receive standard care. Psychosocial resilience and coping outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up. This research aims to offer an evidence-based, scalable model to support resilience among adolescents with cancer in clinical settings.