SYMON (NRG-CC012CD)

Managing symptoms and psychological distress during oral anti-cancer treatment (Sponsor NCI - R01 CA279472)

Study Background

Oral agents are becoming an increasingly common modality for cancer treatment.

Patients receiving these treatments experience variable adherence and often high symptom burden, yet have limited contacted with their providers compared to patients receiving chemotherapy infusions.

At least twelve NCORP community oncology sites, both rural and urban, will be recruited and cluster randomized. Community sites will participate for two years and will recruit a maximum of 45 patients receiving eligible oral agents.

As of August 2025, there are 15 approved recruitment sites. Congratulations to the following:

Active Control

CommonSpirit Health Research Institute/Cancer Center at Saint Joseph's
CROWN NCORP/Aspirus Regional Cancer Center
Georgia CaRes/Georgia Cancer Center
Ozarks NCORP AF/Lake Regional Hospital
Medical University of South Carolina NCORP/Hollings Cancer Center
Stroger Hospital of Cook County NCORP
New Mexico NCORP/UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center

ATSM+TIPC Intervention

Upstate Carolina NCORP/AnMed Health Cancer Center
Ozarks NCORP/CARTI Cancer Center
Gulf South NCORP/LSU University Medical Center
Hawaii NCORP/UH Cancer Center/Queen's Cancer Center
Carle Cancer Center NCORP
NCORP of the Carolinas/Prisma Health Cancer Institute
Puerto Rico NCORP/Centro Comprensivo de Cancer de UPR
Closed

Closed

Ozarks NCORP/Central Care Cancer Center

SYMON Site Map - updated 6.2026 in canva.png

Study Design

CC012CD is a cluster-randomized trial where twelve or more eligible NCORP community sites will be recruited. At least six (6) practices will be randomized to the ATSM+TIPC intervention, and at least six (6) practices will be randomized to an active control (IVR only).

Practices will be asked to identify at minimum one (1) staff members who will be consented to participate in the study as clinic personnel. A maximum of 45 participants will be enrolled at each community site. For patients to be eligible to participate, they must be initiating treatment with an eligible oral agent.

Intervention: ATSM+TIPC

Participants at these community sites will receive Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone symptom monitoring plus referral to self-management strategies provided via a printed handbook (ATSM). Any participants who report unresolved psychological distress in the first four (4) weeks will also receive Telephone Interpersonal Counselling (TIPC) for 8 weeks. Symptom reports from the IVR system will be sent to clinic personnel.

Active Control: IVR only

Participants at these community sites will receive Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone symptom monitoring only for 12 weeks. Symptom reports from the ATSM system will be sent to clinic personnel.