Annual Report 2022
Division of Supportive Care, Survivorship and Translational Research
Yosuke Uchitomi, Maiko Fujimori, Masako Okamura, Ayumu Matsuoka, Takuhiro Yamaguchi, Tempei Miyaji, Kyoko Obama, Wataru Ishida, Mariko Asai, Yuuki Itani, Rumiko Sugihara, Chihiro Unozawa, Ikumi Tanaka, Risa Otoshi, Yuiko Kamo, Takayo Sakiyama, Ryo Yasumaru, Kenichiro Sato, Haruka Kono, Shinichi Goto, Yuki Hashimoto, Ayako Sato, Maki Minemura, Miyuki Kanamaru, Naho Noguchi, Hiromi Hasegawa, Kuniko Matsuyama, Miyuki Kurosaki, Tomoe Mashiko, Tatsuo Akechi, Shinichi Szuki, Hiroshi Takano, Saki Harashima, Ken Kurisu
Introduction
With the aim of realizing a society in which people can live with cancer, we are conducting research that will contribute to supportive care and survivorship for people living with cancer. We also manage the Japan Supportive, Palliative and Psychosocial Oncology Group (J-SUPPORT) and the Survivorship care and Quality of life Research Association (SaQRA) to develop and validate supportive care and survivorship care, which has been studied insufficiently across the world. It is a multicenter research groups that operates in collaboration with experts, who are actively working in Japan or in other countries.
The Team and What We Do
Our division has two teams, i.e. one for own research team and one for clinical research support. We focus on epidemiological, interventional and behavioral, and public health translational research in supportive care and cancer survivorship to enhance symptom relief, survival and psychosocial wellbeing among all persons diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers.
Research Activities
1) Effectiveness study of a support program to promote empathetic communication between physicians and patients/families with rapidly progressing cancer (J-SUPPORT1704):
An RCT was conducted to consider the effectiveness of a support program to promote advance care planning (ACP) to achieve treatment according to the patients’ preferences after completion of standard treatment. Enrollment was completed and follow-up studies were continued.
2) Descriptive epidemiological study of suicide among cancer patients using the National Cancer Registry (J-SUPPORT1902):
Using information from the National Cancer Registry, cancer patients with advanced disease and immediately after diagnosis were observed that have a higher risk of suicide.
3) Efficacy trial of a support program for treatment decision making tailored to the needs of elderly patients with advanced or recurrent cancer (J-SUPPORT2101):
Based on a geriatric assessment that comprehensively assesses the physical and psychosocial status of elderly patients, an application was developed on recommendation of management that leads to support by a multidisciplinary team and feedback to facilitate communication of aging-related concerns between patients and physicians. An RCT was conducted to consider the efficacy of the application
4) Efficacy trial of a decision-making mobile intervention to support ACP of advanced or recurrent cancer patients (J-SUPPORT2104):
In an RCT conducted to evaluate a program developed to facilitate ACP discussions using an application among advanced cancer patients and their physicians, patient enrollment was completed.
5) Development of a question prompt list (QPL) for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer:
The interviews with AYAs with cancer were conducted. A QPL is developed based on the content analysis of the interviews.
6) Survey on psychosocial and physical status among head and neck cancer patients:
A longitudinal study which examines the psychosocial and physical effects of the diagnosis and treatment on patients with head and neck cancer is conducted.
7) A multicenter, prospective, observational study on the prevalence of psychological distress and associated factors among cancer patients undergoing comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) testing:
A multicenter, longitudinal, observational study is conducted to investigate the prevalence of psychological distress and associated factors among patients with advanced cancer undergoing CGP testing across Japan to develop a support program.
8) J-SUPPORT
J-SUPPORT provided infrastructure and implementation support for clinical trials related to supportive care, palliative medicine, and psycho-social care. The Scientific Advisory Board including patients and citizens was held.
9) SaQRA
SaQRA was established by an interdisciplinary team, including experts in psychosocial-oncology, implementation science, and individuals with cancer experiences, to lay the foundation and provide support for research and development related to cancer survivorship care. The organization clarified the definition of cancer survivorship, initiated the development of a roadmap, established a monitoring system for evaluation metrics, and built a research approval process.
Clinical Trials
A randomized controlled trial of a mobile-based empathic communication support program to promote advance care planning discussion between advanced cancer patients and physicians (UMIN000045305)
Randomized controlled trial to develop a program for geriatric assessment and management by mobile applications for elderly patients with advanced and recurrent cancer (UMIN000045428)
Support for cancer patients receiving genomics testing and advanced therapeutics (UMIN000049964)
Education
Number of participants in behavioral science webinars: 2,033
Number of participants in behavioral science research meetings: 180
Collaborative Graduate Schools: four from Waseda University Graduate School of Human Sciences, one from Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences and Medical School
Future Prospects
We will promote behavioral science research for bridging evidence-practice gap in the field of supportive care in cancer and cancer survivorship to contribute to the realization of a society in which people can live better with cancer by collaborating and cooperating with J-SUPPORT and SaQRA.
List of papers published in 2022
Journal
1. Hirayama T, Fujimori M, Ito Y, Ishida Y, Tsumura A, Ozawa M, Maeda N, Yamamoto K, Takita S, Mori M, Tanaka K, Horibe K, Akechi T. Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a psychosocial support program for adolescent and young adult cancer patients in clinical practice: a retrospective observational study. Supportive care in cancer, 31:146, 2023
2. Zenda S, Arai Y, Sugawara S, Inaba Y, Hashimoto K, Yamamoto K, Saigusa Y, Kawaguchi T, Shimada S, Yokoyama M, Miyaji T, Okano T, Nakamura N, Kobayashi E, Takagi T, Matsumoto Y, Uchitomi Y, Sone M. Protocol for a confirmatory trial of the effectiveness and safety of palliative arterial embolization for painful bone metastases. BMC cancer, 23:109, 2023
3. Okamura M, Fujimori M, Goto S, Obama K, Kadowaki M, Sato A, Hirayama T, Uchitomi Y. Prevalence and associated factors of psychological distress among young adult cancer patients in Japan. Palliative & supportive care, 21:93-99, 2023
4. Kurisu K, Fujimori M, Harashima S, Akechi T, Matsuda T, Saika K, Yoshiuchi K, Miyashiro I, Uchitomi Y. Suicide, other externally caused injuries, and cardiovascular disease within 2 years after cancer diagnosis: A nationwide population-based study in Japan (J-SUPPORT 1902). Cancer medicine, 12:3442-3451, 2023
5. Akechi T, Yamaguchi T, Uchida M, Imai F, Momino K, Katsuki F, Sakurai N, Miyaji T, Mashiko T, Horikoshi M, Furukawa TA, Yoshimura A, Ohno S, Uehiro N, Higaki K, Hasegawa Y, Akahane K, Uchitomi Y, Iwata H. Smartphone Psychotherapy Reduces Fear of Cancer Recurrence Among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Fully Decentralized Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial (J-SUPPORT 1703 Study). Journal of clinical oncology, 41:1069-1078, 2023
6. Matsuoka A, Shimazu T, Takahashi M, Nagashima F, Nishiyama H, Fujimori M, Ando Y. A nationwide, cross-sectional, web-based survey on healthcare providers’ knowledge about, attitudes toward, and perceived barriers to adherence to clinical practice guidelines for anticancer drug therapy for older patients with cancer in Japan. Journal of geriatric oncology, 14:101399, 2023
7. Okamura M, Fujimori M, Goto S, Ohisa K, Boku N, Nakahara R, Uchitomi Y, Suzuki T, Matsuda T. Psychological distress among healthcare providers in oncology during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: The mediating role of moral distress and resilience. Frontiers in psychology, 14:1105800, 2023
8. Mitsutake S, Takahashi Y, Otsuki A, Umezawa J, Yaguchi-Saito A, Saito J, Fujimori M, Shimazu T. Chronic Diseases and Sociodemographic Characteristics Associated With Online Health Information Seeking and Using Social Networking Sites: Nationally Representative Cross-sectional Survey in Japan. Journal of medical Internet research, 25:e44741, 2023
9. Okamura M, Fujimori M, Saito E, Osugi Y, Akizuki N, Uchitomi Y. Development of an Online Communication Skills Training Program for Oncologists Working with Adolescents and Young Adults. Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology, 12:433-439, 2023
10. Obama K, Fujimori M, Okamura M, Kadowaki M, Ueno T, Boku N, Mori M, Akechi T, Yamaguchi T, Oyamada S, Okizaki A, Miyaji T, Sakurai N, Uchitomi Y. Effectiveness of a facilitation programme using a mobile application for initiating advance care planning discussions between patients with advanced cancer and healthcare providers: protocol for a randomised controlled trial (J-SUPPORT 2104). BMJ open, 13:e069557, 2023
11. Sadahiro R, Wada S, Matsuoka YJ, Uchitomi Y, Yamaguchi T, Sato T, Esaki M, Yoshimoto S, Daiko H, Kanemitsu Y, Kawai A, Kato T, Fujimoto H, Uezono Y, Shimizu K, Matsuoka H. Prevention of delirium with agitation by yokukansan in older adults after cancer surgery. Japanese journal of clinical oncology, 52:1276-1281, 2022
12. Matsuoka A, Fujimori M, Narikazu B, Takashima A, Okusaka T, Mori K, Akechi T, Shimazu T, Okizaki A, Miyaji T, Majima Y, Nagashima F, Uchitomi Y. Geriatric assessment and management with question prompt list using a web-based application for elderly patients with cancer (MAPLE) to communicate ageing-related concerns: J-SUPPORT 2101 study protocol for a multicentre, parallel group, randomised controlled trial. BMJ open, 12:e063445, 2022
13. Sato A, Fujimori M, Shirai Y, Umezawa S, Mori M, Jinno S, Umehashi M, Okamura M, Okusaka T, Majima Y, Miyake S, Uchitomi Y. Assessing the need for a question prompt list that encourages end-of-life discussions between patients with advanced cancer and their physicians: A focus group interview study. Palliative & supportive care, 20:564-569, 2022
14. Yokota T, Ueno T, Soga Y, Ishiki H, Uezono Y, Mori T, Zenda S, Uchitomi Y. J-SUPPORT research policy for oral mucositis associated with cancer treatment. Cancer medicine, 11:4816-4829, 2022
15. Okamura M, Fujimori M, Hata K, Mori M, Mack JW, Prigerson HG, Uchitomi Y. Validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Peace, Equanimity, and Acceptance in the Cancer Experience (PEACE) questionnaire. Palliative & supportive care, 20:549-555, 2022
16. Matsuoka A, Fujimori M. Interpretation of the Efficacy of Multidisciplinary Geriatric Assessment Intervention on Chemotherapy-Related Toxic Effects in Older Adults With Cancer. JAMA oncology, 8:1, 2022
17. Kurisu K, Hashimoto M, Ishizawa T, Shibayama O, Inada S, Fujisawa D, Inoguchi H, Shimoda H, Inoue S, Ogawa A, Akechi T, Shimizu K, Uchitomi Y, Matsuyama Y, Yoshiuchi K. Development of computer adaptive testing for measuring depression in patients with cancer. Scientific reports, 12:8247, 2022
18. Yaguchi-Saito A, Kaji Y, Matsuoka A, Okuyama A, Fujimori M, Saito J, Odawara M, Otsuki A, Uchitomi Y, Zenda S, Shimazu T. Factors affecting the implementation of guideline-based prophylactic antiemetic therapy for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in Japan: a protocol for a hospital-based qualitative study. BMJ open, 12:e055473, 2022
19. Yamada Y, Fujiwara M, Shimazu T, Etoh T, Kodama M, So R, Matsushita T, Yoshimura Y, Horii S, Fujimori M, Takahashi H, Nakaya N, Miyaji T, Hinotsu S, Harada K, Okada H, Uchitomi Y, Yamada N, Inagaki M. Patients’ acceptability and implementation outcomes of a case management approach to encourage participation in colorectal cancer screening for people with schizophrenia: a qualitative secondary analysis of a mixed-method randomised clinical trial. BMJ open, 12:e060621, 2022
20. Yamada Y, Fujiwara M, Etoh T, Wada R, Inoue S, Kodama M, Yoshimura Y, Horii S, Matsushita T, Fujimori M, Shimazu T, Nakaya N, Hinotsu S, Tabata M, Tamura K, Uchitomi Y, Yamada N, Inagaki M. Issues of cancer care in people with mental disorders as perceived by cancer care providers: A quantitative questionnaire survey. Psycho-oncology, 31:1572-1580, 2022
21. Maeda O, Matsuoka A, Yanagawa M, Muroyama Y, Watanabe K, Liang Y, Ishikawa T, Ohno E, Kawashima H, Umegaki H, Kuzuya M, Ando Y. Selection of chemotherapy for older patients with pancreatic cancer based on geriatric assessment. Journal of geriatric oncology, 13:1260-1263, 2022
22. Fang JT, Chen SY, Yang LY, Liao KC, Lin CH, Fujimori M, Tang WR. Improving transitional care through online communication skills training. Aging clinical and experimental research, 34:3063-3071, 2022
23. Odawara M, Saito J, Yaguchi-Saito A, Fujimori M, Uchitomi Y, Shimazu T. Using implementation mapping to develop strategies for preventing non-communicable diseases in Japanese small- and medium-sized enterprises. Frontiers in public health, 10:873769, 2022
24. Yoshida S, Shimizu K, Matsui M, Fujimori M, Uchitomi Y, Horibe K. Preferred Communication with Adolescent and Young Adult Patients Receiving Bad News About Cancer. Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology, 2022
Book
1. Fujisawa D, Akechi T, Uchitomi Y. Depressive Disorders. In: Kissane D, Watson M, Breitbart W (ed), Psycho-Oncology in palliative and wend of Life Care, UK, Oxford Academic, pp 70-93, 2022