Albrecht Submits American Cancer Society Grant Application

Kudos to Assistant Professor Tara Albrecht for the submission of her application to the American Cancer Society (ACS) Pilot and Exploratory Projects in Palliative Care Cancer Patients and Their Families Program entitled: "Caring for Adults with Acute Leukemia: Exploring the Caregiver Experience." This proposal requests funds for a 2 year period with a start date of May 1, 2020.

Background: Providing informal family caregiving is known to have significant physical, emotional, social, financial and health implications for the family caregiver (FC). For example, FC report psycho-behavioral responses such as anxiety, depression, distress, worsened sleep, fatigue and overall decreased quality of life (QoL). These psycho-behavioral symptoms then trigger a cascade of biologic responses (e.g., high blood pressure, diminished heart rate variability, increased cortisol levels), ultimately increasing their risk for co-morbid conditions. Yet, the healthcare system relies heavily on FC to play a critical role not only providing physical care for individuals with cancer, but also support and hope. Unfortunately, very little is known about the experience of FC of adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML is a unique disease with a high treatment burden, that includes, emergent and lengthy hospitalization; numerous symptoms; and labile periods and a rapid deterioration of health, throughout the treatment process. The culmination of these factors suggests that FC of adults with AML experience a high burden without adequate support, that are unique when compared to other malignant and nonmalignant diseases. Despite recent advances in our understanding of the FC in solid tumors, there is a dearth of FC research examining the psycho-behavioral responses, biologic responses and subsequent negative health risks in such a unique and resource intensive disease as AML.

Objective: This proposed study will address this gap in knowledge, by longitudinally exploring the trajectory of psycho-behavioral and biological responses over 6 months, to better understand and identify those FC who may be most at risk for poor health outcomes in this unique and understudied population.

Specific Aims: 1.) Classify FC of adults with AML based on their psycho-behavioral symptoms, biologic responses and self-reported health trajectories over 6-months; 2.) Explore associations between demographic characteristics and distinct typologies of psycho-behavioral responses, biologic responses and self-reported health experienced among FC of adults with AML; 3.) Explore changes in the experiences of FC of adults with AML at diagnosis and 6-months.

Study Design: This is a longitudinal descriptive study that will enroll FC of adults newly diagnosed with AML. Measurements assessing symptoms, QoL, caregiver burden, caregiver preparation, caregiver benefit will be assessed at baseline, 4-weeks and 6-months. Qualitative interviews at baseline and 6-months.

Cancer Relevance: To reduce the demand on the healthcare system, FCs are increasingly asked to provide complex illness related care to adults with cancer, such as AML. Unfortunately, the complex care FC provide negatively affects their QoL and overall health. There is a paucity of research exploring the effect of a diagnosis of AML on FCs, recognizing and ultimately supporting the invaluable care and support FC provide to this unique and complex population is critical.