# Improving Adherence to Endocrine Therapy in Breast Cancer Survivors

> **NIH NIH K07** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2020 · $163,938

## Abstract

Candidate. This K07 proposal will position Dr. Jacobs to become an independent investigator with expertise in
developing and testing evidence-based interventions to improve patient and treatment-related outcomes
across the cancer care continuum. Dr. Jacobs demonstrates promise as a clinical researcher (19 publications,
over 45 presentations, and prior NCI funding), and with additional training and mentorship will contribute to
national and international efforts to reduce cancer burden and improve quality of life for survivors. Mentorship.
The mentor team is comprised of internationally recognized investigators in supportive cancer interventions
and health outcomes research (mentor: Jennifer Temel, MD), and treatment adherence in oncology and
longitudinal adherence assessment (co-mentor: Joseph Greer, PhD). A scientific advisory committee with
complementary expertise will provide guidance on: endocrine therapy (ET) and adherence in breast cancer
survivors ([BCS] Ann Partridge, MD, MPH); survivorship and research ethics (Jeffrey Peppercorn, MD, MPH);
mixed methods and qualitative analysis (Elyse Park, PhD, MPH); adherence intervention development (Steven
Safren, PhD); and biostatistics (Nora Horick, MS). Training Plan. Dr. Jacobs will achieve short-term goals
through a coordinated research and training plan in (1) medical issues in ET and adherence for BCS, (2)
adherence intervention development/health behavior change and e-counseling, and (3) mixed methods and
longitudinal adherence assessment. In addition to regular mentorship meetings and experiential training
through the research plan, Dr. Jacobs will complete coursework and didactic trainings, attend and present at
seminars and national conferences, and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals. Background. The majority
of breast cancer is hormone sensitive and treated with 10 years of ET in order to reduce risk of recurrence and
improve survival; however, adherence to ET among BCS is overwhelmingly poor, with half of women being
non-adherent within five years. Furthermore, distressed BCS (e.g., related to side effects) are less likely to be
adherent. There is an absence of efficacious interventions to improve ET adherence. Research Strategy. To
address this gap, the proposed study employs a mixed methods design to develop and test a videoconference,
stepped-care intervention to improve adherence to ET and reduce distress in BCS at Massachusetts General
Hospital Cancer Center and three community affiliates. Step 1 is a 3-session, Brief Adherence Intervention for
BCS with poor adherence; Step 2 is an adapted 8-session Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for BCS with poor
adherence and high distress. Phase 1 includes (1) intervention development with psychologists and oncology
clinicians and semi-structured interviews with BCS (n=20), and (2) a pilot study to evaluate acceptability and
refine the intervention (n=5). Phase 2 will entail a randomized controlled trial (n=75) to assess the feasibility of
...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9980801
- **Project number:** 5K07CA211107-04
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Jamie Michele Jacobs
- **Activity code:** K07 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $163,938
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-08-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9980801

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9980801, Improving Adherence to Endocrine Therapy in Breast Cancer Survivors (5K07CA211107-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9980801. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*