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

The use of a geriatric assessment to inform oncologic care for older persons with cancer is an evidence-based practice that improves patient-clinician communication, reduces treatment-related toxicity, and is recommended by national guidelines. However, the implementation of a geriatric assessment can be time-consuming and burdensome, leading to suboptimal use in clinical practice. Developed and endorsed by the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the Practical Geriatric Assessment (PGA) is designed to improve clinical usability and adoption, but its implementation in real-world settings has not been evaluated. The PACE-70 study aims to evaluate PGA implementation and resultant chemotherapy dose modification among older adults with advanced cancer treated in a community setting. An exploratory aim will evaluate how the PGA, body composition (via abdominal computed tomography scan) and step count monitoring (via FitBit) correlate with chemotherapy toxicity and other clinical outcomes.

Sex

All

Minimum age

70 Years

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

• BACKGROUNDDale W, Williams GR, R MacKenzie A, Soto-Perez-de-Celis E, Maggiore RJ, Merrill JK, Katta S, Smith KT, Klepin HD. How Is Geriatric Assessment Used in Clinical Practice for Older Adults With Cancer? A Survey of Cancer Providers by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. JCO Oncol Pract. 2021 Jun;17(6):336-344. doi: 10.1200/OP.20.00442. Epub 2020 Oct 15. PMID 33064058
• BACKGROUNDDale W, Klepin HD, Williams GR, Alibhai SMH, Bergerot C, Brintzenhofeszoc K, Hopkins JO, Jhawer MP, Katheria V, Loh KP, Lowenstein LM, McKoy JM, Noronha V, Phillips T, Rosko AE, Ruegg T, Schiaffino MK, Simmons JF Jr, Subbiah I, Tew WP, Webb TL, Whitehead M, Somerfield MR, Mohile SG. Practical Assessment and Management of Vulnerabilities in Older Patients Receiving Systemic Cancer Therapy: ASCO Guideline Update. J Clin Oncol. 2023 Sep 10;41(26):4293-4312. doi: 10.1200/JCO.23.00933. Epub 2023 Jul 17. PMID 37459573
• BACKGROUNDWilliams GR, Hopkins JO, Klepin HD, Lowenstein LM, Mackenzie A, Mohile SG, Somerfield MR, Dale W. Practical Assessment and Management of Vulnerabilities in Older Patients Receiving Systemic Cancer Therapy: ASCO Guideline Questions and Answers. JCO Oncol Pract. 2023 Sep;19(9):718-723. doi: 10.1200/OP.23.00263. Epub 2023 Jul 17. No abstract available. PMID 37459585
• BACKGROUNDGreen AK, Tabatabai SM, Aghajanian C, Landgren O, Riely GJ, Sabbatini P, Bach PB, Begg CB, Lipitz-Snyderman A, Mailankody S. Clinical Trial Participation Among Older Adult Medicare Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries With Cancer. JAMA Oncol. 2022 Dec 1;8(12):1786-1792. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2022.5020. PMID 36301585
• BACKGROUNDMohile SG, Mohamed MR, Xu H, Culakova E, Loh KP, Magnuson A, Flannery MA, Obrecht S, Gilmore N, Ramsdale E, Dunne RF, Wildes T, Plumb S, Patil A, Wells M, Lowenstein L, Janelsins M, Mustian K, Hopkins JO, Berenberg J, Anthony N, Dale W. Evaluation of geriatric assessment and management on the toxic effects of cancer treatment (GAP70+): a cluster-randomised study. Lancet. 2021 Nov 20;398(10314):1894-1904. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01789-X. Epub 2021 Nov 3.