AYA STEPS RCT: AYA Self-Management Via Texting, Education & Plans for Survivors

January 7, 2026 updated by: Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine

The proposed project will leverage two programs of research at UPenn and CHOP that are delivering technology-based interventions to adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors.

In the proposed study, all AYA survivors will receive a care plan via a tool (Smart-ALACC). They will then be randomized to receive (or not) a mobile health application (AYA STEPS) that will provide tailored messages to enhance uptake of their care plan.

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Survivors

Intervention / Treatment

Other: AYA STEPS

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

United States
- Pennsylvania
  - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104
    - Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

15 years to 29 years (Child, Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

15-29 year olds with a history of malignant cancer diagnosis.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

AYA is 15-29 year old with a history of a malignant cancer diagnosis;
Completed cancer treatment and are currently in remission or receiving cancer survivorship care;
Seen for follow-up oncology care at CHOP or Penn;
For AYA less than 18 years old, must have a caregiver to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

Cognitive impairments that would limit AYA ability to independently care for health as determined by the medical team.
Absence of the inclusion criteria

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Observational Models: Cohort
Time Perspectives: Prospective

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Number of Completed mobile data and questionnaires Time Frame: 10 years	10 years

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine

Investigators

Principal Investigator: Christine Hill-Kayser, MD, Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Psihogios AM, King-Dowling S, O'Hagan B, Darabos K, Maurer L, Young J, Fleisher L, Barakat LP, Szalda D, Hill-Kayser CE, Schwartz LA. Contextual Predictors of Engagement in a Tailored mHealth Intervention for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors. Ann Behav Med. 2021 Nov 18;55(12):1220-1230. doi: 10.1093/abm/kaab008.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 1, 2017

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2019

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

December 1, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria