Goals of The Center for Survivorship and Patient-Oriented Research

The Center for Survivorship and Patient-Oriented Research (CPSOR) has 4 main goals:

Building Essential Infrastructure

The CPSOR is establishing critical infrastructure to support groundbreaking clinical care and research to enhance survivorship care. This includes the following programs:

Clinical Pre-, Peri- and Post-Treatment Optimization Program (C-POP)
C-POP is a comprehensive program designed to enhance quality of life and function through assessment and intervention before, during, and after treatment. Most cancer programs focus on treatments and medical comorbidities. C-POP expands that scope to evaluate physical function, cognitive function, mental health, diet and nutrition, food insecurity, financial toxicity, and other social determinants of health. Using evidence-based assessments, the goal of C-POP is to identify patients with functional impairments and refer them to supportive services to optimize their health pre- (prehabilitation), peri- (supportive care), and post- (rehabilitation) cancer treatment. C-POP is a standard of care program that is currently being implemented for patients undergoing transplant and cellular therapy but will eventually include all KU Cancer Center patients.

Observational Pre-, Peri- and Post-Treatment Optimization Program (O-POP)
O-POP integrates patient-reported outcomes, mobile health monitoring and biobanking to improve patient care and drive innovative research. Like C-POP, O-POP evaluates multiple dimensions of health; however, while C-POP focuses on evidence-based assessments, O-POP is on the cutting edge of research. We encourage all KU Cancer Center patients to volunteer to participate in O-POP, which uses novel approaches such as wearable devices and biospecimen collection to learn about patients and cancer outcomes. Like C-POP, O-POP is currently limited to patients undergoing transplant and cellular therapy. Our plans include extending this program to all KU Cancer Center patients.

Interventional Pre-, Peri-, and Post-Treatment Optimization Programs (I-POP)
Rather than a formal program within CSPOR, I-POP comprises a multitude of interventional studies made possible by preliminary data and insights generated by C-POP and O-POP. These clinical trials have the potential to reshape how we care for cancer patients. Examples include:

• Nutrition OUtReach In Systems of Healthcare (NOURISH): This randomized phase 2 clinical trial addresses food insecurity in cancer patients by directly providing bags of food in clinic. It was developed after data from C-POP helped us learn about the links between food-insecurity, malnutrition and other cancer outcomes.
• Remotely Monitored, Mobile-health supported High Intensity Interval Training (REMM-HIIT): This phase 1 clinical trial was developed to improve pre-treatment cardiorespiratory fitness, helping patients tolerate cancer treatment. It was developed after insights from O-POP helped us learn how to monitor patients at home.
• Prebiotics to Optimize the Microbiota and Improve Outcomes: This randomized phase 2 clinical trial was developed to improve the microbiome, modulating the immune system and decreasing treatment complications. It was developed after data from O-POP helped us learn about how the microbiome and bacterial metabolites affects cancer outcomes. 

The CPSOR is cultivating a transdisciplinary network to promote collaboration and incubate new research. Key initiatives include:

Regional Symposium: This annual event will bring cancer researchers together across the Midwest in an exchange of ideas to foster new collaborations in cancer survivorship and encourage team science. In addition to cancer researchers, we encourage participation by cardiologists, dermatologists, geriatricians, infectious disease specialists, psychologists/psychiatrists, pulmonologists, and others involved in the care of cancer patients. Stay tuned for details on our first event in Fall 2025.

Grant Development Support: CSPOR employes grant writers, statisticians, data managers, and other staff to help investigators develop grant proposals. In addition, an annual request for applications provides support for pilot awards in cancer survivorship to generate preliminary data for larger proposals. If interested, please contact CSPOR-Info@kumc.edu.

Pilot Funding in Cancer Survivorship: To test the feasibility of innovative approaches and generate preliminary data for grant applications, we will offer pilot funding. Our first request for applications will be released in Spring 2025.

Recruitment of Experts: We are looking for established researchers in geriatric oncology, onco-psychology, and precision medicine. If you have expertise in these areas, please reach out to CSPOR-Info@kumc.edu.

Developing the Next Generation of Physician-Scientists

The CPSOR is committed to training and mentoring the next generation of researchers in survivorship care. The heart of these efforts is an annual, regional, Research Skills Development Workshop. This three-day workshop offers an opportunity for fellows and junior faculty to come together and learn essential elements of grant and research career development from a multidisciplinary team of established faculty. Our first Workshop is planned for Spring 2025.

Ensuring Research is Inclusive of All

Extending the mission of KU Cancer Center to respond to the needs and priorities of the communities of our catchment area, the Center places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, particularly in partnering with underserved communities to advance research in cancer survivorship. If our research does not include all our patients, then our results will be limited in their applicability. Efforts include:

Community-Based Participatory Research: Training and partnerships with community organizations.

Addressing Barriers to Care: Partnerships with food pantries, strategies to address transportation needs, solutions for financial toxicity, and more.