# Patient-Defined Goals and Preferences Among Older Adults with Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors

> **NIH NIH R03** · BECKMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE/CITY OF HOPE · 2020 · $129,750

## Abstract

Abstract
There is a significant need to improve the evidence base for treating older adults with cancer particularly in
indolent tumor types such as neuroendocrine tumors. While clinical trials have established new treatment
options for patients with advanced (metastatic or surgically unresectable) neuroendocrine tumors, most have
focused upon survival as the primary endpoint of success, and patient-centered outcomes are often not
included. This is particularly concerning for older adults with an indolent malignancy as potential improvements
in survival must be balanced with potential toxicities of therapy in a patient population often impacted by
complex co-morbid medical conditions. Therefore, information regarding older adult neuroendocrine tumor
patient preferences towards the risks and benefits of treatment and the relative value placed on survival versus
the impact on function, cognition, and the ability to live independently is urgently needed. The objective of
this study is to fill the knowledge gap relating to patient defined goals and preferences among older adults
with advanced neuroendocrine tumors. Through the use of a novel application of the Health Outcomes Tool,
Now vs. Later Tool, and Attitude Scale, patient preferences for competing health outcomes will be described.
In addition, the association between health status as described by geriatric assessment variables, participant
quality of life, and patient perceptions of prognosis and treatment in relation to patient values toward treatment
goals and health outcomes will be explored. We hypothesize that older adults with advanced neuroendocrine
tumors will favor maintaining quality of life, independence, and/or cognition over prolonging survival.
Furthermore, we hypothesize that health status as described by geriatric assessment variables along with
patient’s quality of life and patient’s perceptions of prognosis and treatment could be associated with individual
treatment goals and preferences. This study will be the first study to provide insight into the desires of older
adults with advanced neuroendocrine tumors regarding the importance of quality vs. quantity of life and
present vs. future health when beginning a new therapy. A better understanding of how older adult
neuroendocrine tumor patients define their goals and priorities may lead to improvements in clinical care and
future clinical trial design for older adults with neuroendocrine tumors. By using neuroendocrine tumors as a
model, this study could serve as the foundation for future research and incorporation of patient preference
tools into daily clinical practice to better guide shared decision making in the treatment of older adults with
indolent tumor types. This unique research opportunity will provide the PI with a foundation for uniting aging
and oncology research and will provide critical support for the PI’s career development in geriatric oncology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9987452
- **Project number:** 5R03AG064376-02
- **Recipient organization:** BECKMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE/CITY OF HOPE
- **Principal Investigator:** Daneng Li
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $129,750
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9987452

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9987452, Patient-Defined Goals and Preferences Among Older Adults with Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors (5R03AG064376-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9987452. Licensed CC0.

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