# Mentoring the Next Generation of Geriatric Oncology Researchers in Patient-Oriented Research to Improve the Care of Older Adults with Cancer

> **NIH NIH K24** · BECKMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE/CITY OF HOPE · 2020 · $129,952

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
I have two overall career goals, which directly align with the aims of this proposal: 1) to perform high quality patient-
oriented research in geriatric oncology that will provide critically-needed evidence to improve the care of older adults
with cancer; and 2) to mentor the next generation of geriatric oncology researchers in patient-oriented research in
order to ensure that there is a healthy cadre of well-trained geriatric oncology researchers poised to lead the field in
the future. This is important because one in three Americans over the age of 60 will be diagnosed with cancer in their
lifetime. From 2010 to 2030, cancer incidence is expected to rise 67% for individuals age ≥ 65. Despite the fact that
older adults comprise the majority of cancer cases, they are severely underrepresented in cancer research studies.
In addition, few physicians are dually trained in geriatrics and oncology, or focus on geriatric oncology research. The
goal of this K24 Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research is to: 1) unite the fields of geriatrics
and oncology by studying geriatric correlates of vulnerability to chemotherapy toxicity and interventions to improve
outcomes in an aging oncology population and 2) mentor the next generation of geriatric oncology researchers.
 There are three components proposed in this application. The first is a comprehensive mentoring program
to foster the career development of trainees from diverse backgrounds by teaching patient-oriented research skills
for geriatric oncology. This includes the development of a career development plan that will enable each mentee to
learn the skills of patient-oriented research, including formulation and execution of a research project; 1:1 mentor-
mentee meetings; and seminars and coursework to foster mentees' career development. The second component is
to conduct patient-oriented research focused on improving the care of older adults with cancer. The proposed
research in this application builds upon five prospective multicenter studies to develop a Geriatric Assessment Tool
for oncologists and to identify predictors of chemotherapy toxicity. These studies serve as a platform to perform the
following specific aims in patients age > 65 who are scheduled to receive a new chemotherapy regimen: 1) To
identify geriatric clinical and biological predictors of outcomes (chemotherapy toxicity, hospitalization, functional
decline, and survival) and to utilize these rich datasets as a means of mentoring the next generation of geriatric
oncology researchers; and 2) To develop and test a geriatric assessment intervention to decrease the risk of
chemotherapy toxicity and to understand treatment preferences in older adults with cancer. The third component of
this application is my own career development plan, which will include expanding my research skill set to transition
from observational to intervention to implementation research, and expanding my leadership skill set through
c...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9812822
- **Project number:** 5K24AG055693-03
- **Recipient organization:** BECKMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE/CITY OF HOPE
- **Principal Investigator:** WILLIAM DALE
- **Activity code:** K24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $129,952
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-12-01 → 2022-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9812822

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9812822, Mentoring the Next Generation of Geriatric Oncology Researchers in Patient-Oriented Research to Improve the Care of Older Adults with Cancer (5K24AG055693-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9812822. Licensed CC0.

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