PC3I Celebrates National Cancer Research Month 

May is National Cancer Research Month, an initiative led by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) to highlight the lifesaving impact of cancer research and encourage support for continued progress in prevention, treatment, and care. At PC3I, our mission aligns closely with this effort; our change agents work every day to drive evidence-based innovations that improve health outcomes and promote equity across the cancer care continuum. 

This year, we’re proud to highlight several PC3I Faculty-led projects that exemplify how research and innovation can help bridge gaps in cancer care, particularly for patients with additional barriers to receiving quality care. 

GIFTT: Guaranteed Income and Financial Treatment Trial 

The Guaranteed Income and Financial Treatment Trial (G.I.F.T.T.) is an initiative led by PC3I Faculty Meredith Doherty that aims to reduce cancer-related financial hardship by pairing financial navigation services with guaranteed monthly income for low-income patients with cancer. The program addresses the severe financial burdens many patients face—particularly women, people of color, and underserved populations—by helping them plan for out-of-pocket costs, access resources, and receive financial support. In its first phase, patients receive individualized support through Family Reach’s Financial Treatment Program. In the second phase, a randomized trial compares the impact of monthly unconditional cash payments to a traditional one-time assistance grant. The goal of this project is to improve quality of life, reduce stress, increase treatment adherence, and improve survival. Findings will have implications for future health policy and practice. 

TIME: Text-based Intervention Minimizes the Time Burden of Routine Cancer Care 

TIME, which is led by PC3I Faculty Ronac Mamtani evaluated a text message–based e-triage tool designed to reduce the time burden of cancer care and improve the care experience for patients with advanced cancer, particularly those undergoing immunotherapy. By sending a 16-question symptom assessment via text 96 hours before scheduled visits, the system identified patients without significant side effects who could safely skip routine pre-treatment assessments and proceed directly to care. A randomized controlled trial showed that the e-triage system reduced patient wait times by 30 minutes and total care time by 66 minutes, demonstrating its potential to streamline clinical workflows. Pending further integration efforts, this tool has the potential to be adopted into clinical practice.

Penn-TRACE: Telehealth Research Center of Excellence 

Penn TRACE (Telehealth Research Center of Excellence) is an initiative funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and established through the White House Cancer Moonshot initiative. Led by PC3I Director Katharine Rendle and PC3I Faculty Anil Vachani, this project aims to advance telehealth research in cancer care. Focusing on lung cancer—the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.—Penn TRACE conducts pragmatic trials and pilot studies to evaluate how telehealth can improve screening, treatment, and shared decision-making while addressing equity and digital access. The center integrates insights from communication science and behavioral economics, applying tools like nudges and patient-centered communication to improve care delivery. Core components include a Clinical Practice Network, an Administrative and Research Core, and a Junior Investigator Program to mentor emerging researchers. Penn TRACE is also guided by its own equity-centered framework (FITE) and leverages Penn Medicine’s digital infrastructure to reimagine cancer care that is more accessible, efficient, and equitable. 

Breast SBDOH: Optimizing Collection of Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health Data in Breast Cancer Care 

The Breast SBDOH project, led by PC3I Program Director Oluwadamilola “Lola” Fayanju, aims to improve equity and efficiency in breast cancer care by identifying patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for the collection of social and behavioral determinants of health (SBDoH) data. Recognizing that factors like housing, education, employment, and racial identity significantly impact health outcomes, the project seeks to integrate early, proactive SBDoH screening into electronic health records (EHR) and connect patients with relevant support. Through a collaborative research agreement with Gilead Sciences and with support from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the study will use a mix of low and high-tech tools, such as chatbots, patient portals, and phone calls, to gather data across patient needs and comfort levels. Insights will guide community-based, systems-focused interventions for breast cancer patients at Penn Medicine and inform broader scalable strategies for SBDoH data collection in oncology.  

CAR-T PROs: Pediatric Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) Following Car T Cell Therapy 

The Pediatric Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) Following Car T Cell Therapy project collects detailed subjective symptom data from pediatric patients with B lymphoblastic leukemia to better understand their experiences following CAR T cell therapy. While clinical trials document many adverse effects, more subjective symptoms like fatigue, nausea, and pain, are underreported. Using tools such as the Ped-PRO-CTCAE, which is a pediatric specific PRO measure, the study gathers data on symptoms, cognitive and functional status, quality of life, and financial hardship directly from patients over the course of a year. Led by PC3I Faculty Allison Barz Leahy, the goal is to improve predictive modeling and develop early warning systems for treatment toxicity and relapse, offering a more holistic and proactive approach to pediatric cancer care. 

Join Us in Supporting Cancer Research 

These projects reflect PC3I’s commitment to transforming cancer care through research and innovation that is not only cutting-edge, but also deeply rooted in access, equity, and real-world impact. As we honor National Cancer Research Month, we join the AACR in celebrating the progress that research has made possible—while recognizing the urgent need to continue investing in equitable solutions. To learn more, share your story, or take action, visit aacr.org/NCRM and follow the conversation on social media using #NCRM25.