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

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ABSTRACT I have two overall career goals, which directly align with the aims of this proposal: 1) to generate high quality patient- oriented research at the nexus of geriatric oncology and supportive care interventions, generating the critically needed evidence to inform and improve the care of older adults with cancer through the use of new infrastructure underlying the City of Hope’s Center for Cancer and Aging and the national Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG), both of which I lead; and 2) to mentor the next generation of geriatric oncology and supportive care scholars and future leaders in patient-oriented research based on newly-created infrastructure to ensure a healthy cadre of well-trained researchers in aging and cancer poised to sustain the field. 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, making cancer a disease of aging. Dr. Arti Hurria, my close colleague from whom I inherited this award, dedicated her career to developing and validating the CARG Geriatric Assessment (GA) and conducting evidence-based research showing the positive patient-centered outcomes of GA-guided care. I am carrying out her vision cut short with her death. Although GA is now considered the standard of care, only 20% of older patients with cancer receive a GA in the community setting. The goal of this K24 Renewal for the Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research is to: 1) unite the fields of geriatrics, oncology, and supportive care by building and sustaining the infrastructure to provide equitable patient-centered care for an aging oncology population, and 2) mentor the next generation of geriatric oncology and supportive care investigators and future leaders using this infrastructure. 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 and supportive care. This includes the development of an individualized career development plan that will enable each mentee to learn the skills of patient-oriented research; 1:1 mentor-mentee meetings; and seminars and coursework to foster mentees’ career development. The second component is to leverage the recently received infrastructure grants (NIA R33 grant, Rising Tide Foundation GOTO Grant, PI: W. Dale) to support the conduct of patient-oriented research focused on improving the care of older adults with cancer. The third component is my own career development plan, which will include expanding recent interventional and implementation work’s impact by leveraging newly developed infrastructure, and expanding my skill set in national aging scholarship through 1:1 mentoring. The research, mentorship, and training proposed in this application address key priorities identified by the National Institute of Aging, National Cancer Institute, Institute of Medicine, and American Society of Clinical Oncology to improve the care of older adults with cancer.