Practical Geriatric Assessment (PGA) Implementation Strategies and Correlative Evaluations (PACE-70)

Launched by ABRAMSON CANCER CENTER AT PENN MEDICINE · Mar 6, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The PACE-70 clinical trial is studying a method called the Practical Geriatric Assessment (PGA) to help doctors provide better care for older adults with advanced cancer. This method aims to improve communication between patients and doctors, lower treatment side effects, and overall enhance the treatment experience for elderly patients. The trial will look at how well this assessment can be used in community healthcare settings and whether it leads to changes in chemotherapy doses to reduce toxicity, which refers to harmful side effects from treatment.

To be eligible for this study, participants need to be at least 70 years old and have a type of advanced cancer that requires new treatment. They should also be able to read and speak English and walk independently or with a mobility aid, like a cane or walker. Participants will be asked to wear a Fitbit to track their activity and will complete some surveys about their health. It's important to note that this trial is not yet recruiting participants, so those interested will need to wait for further updates.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• For PGA Implementation Cohort, patients must meet the following criteria:
• • 1. Age greater than or equal to 70 years.
• • 2. Diagnosis of advanced or metastatic solid malignancy
• • 3. Initiating a new line of palliative-intent systemic therapy with a prevalence of grade 3 toxicity exceeding 50%.
• For Correlative Analysis Cohort, patients must additionally meet the following criteria:
• • 1. Must read and speak English and be able to fill out surveys
• • 2. Ability to walk independently or with the use of an assistive device (e.g., walker, cane)
• • 3. Consents to participate in correlative analysis cohort with Fitbit monitoring, body composition analysis, and self-report surveys
• • 4. Have a smartphone able to operate with the Fitbit
• • For PGA Implementation Cohort, there are no specific exclusion criteria other than not meeting inclusion criteria.
• For Correlative Analysis Cohort, patients will be excluded if meeting any of the following criteria:
• • 1. Unable to effectively read and speak English
• • 2. Reliance on a wheelchair, ECOG of 3 or above, clinically bedbound, or unable to walk without assistance every day for the past 7 days (ECOG 3 is confined to bed or chair for more than 50% of waking hours)
• • 3. Concurrent enrollment in a therapeutic clinical trial (as clinical trials often have a substantial symptom-reporting structure). Non-therapeutic clinical trial enrollment is permitted
• • 4. Lack of clinician consent to approach patient