NCT06674811 · Mayo Clinic
Biomarkers of Resiliency In Childhood Cancer Surgery
(BRICCS)
What this study is about
This observational study is to better understand how children and their families recover after the stress of major surgery for cancer so that investigators can create ways to improve resilience during recovery. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1.
View original scientific description
This observational study is to better understand how children and their families recover after the stress of major surgery for cancer so that investigators can create ways to improve resilience during recovery. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Can information obtained from patients and their caregivers wearing smartwatches and answering questionnaires be used to measure how patients are recovering from surgery? 2. Are there specific patterns in patients' circulating proteins and metabolites that are associated with stress after surgery? Participants, including pediatric patients undergoing surgery for cancer and their primary caregiver, will be asked to: * wear a smartwatch * complete questionnaires * allow for extra blood to be drawn for this research study when they are having their regular blood draws for clinical purposes These actions will occur at baseline prior to patients' surgery and then afterwards for up to one year. There are no changes to participants' clinical care or surgical care as a result of the study. Investigators will also collect participants' clinical information and cancer-specific outcomes. Participants will be remunerated for their time.
Interventions
OTHER
Wearing Smartwatch
Patients and their caregivers will be asked to start wearing a smartwatch prior to surgery and continuing to wear it for one year following surgery at all times except when bathing or swimming, eating, undergoing a procedure, or if refusing to wear them. The smartwatches collect motor activity by minutes spent being sedentary, active, or highly active, heart rate, and sleep duration and stages. Data from the smartwatches syncs with Garmin connect using Fitabase to allow the study team to review the data.
OTHER
Patient Report Outcomes
To obtain patient-reported outcomes (PROs), questionnaires will be administered at time of enrollment, in the two weeks prior to surgery if applicable, and at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 34, 44, and 54 weeks postoperatively. Questionnaires can be completed electronically, over the telephone or in person. The PedsQL Cancer Module and Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-9) will be utilized for questionnaires.
OTHER
Blood Draw
When patients are having blood drawn as part of their regular care, extra blood may be drawn for this study. Participants may opt out of this. Blood draws will occur preoperatively and at intervals postoperatively for proteomic, metabolomic, and exposomic testing.
OTHER
Clinical Data Review
Clinical data will be collected and stored in a database by study staff. This includes patient demographics, diagnosis characteristics including staging and risk group, treatment characteristics, and outcomes including length of stay following surgical intervention, readmissions, surgical complications including surgical site infection, time off therapy/time to resumption of chemotherapy.
Primary outcome measures
Surgical resilience
Time frame: 1 year
Using smartwatches, we will assess motor activity by minutes spent being sedentary, active, or highly active, heart rate, and sleep duration and stages. This information will be collected before and after surgical resection. Data from the smartwatches syncs with Garmin connect using Fitabase which allows the study team to monitor and analyze the data. Results will be correlated with questionnaires responses, to see if there are digital biomarker patterns associated with return to baseline quality of life postoperatively.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- 3-25 years old at enrollment
- With solid tumors of the chest, abdomen, and extremities including neuroblastic tumors, sarcoma including soft tissue and bone, kidney tumors, liver tumors, ovarian tumors, lung and pleural-based tumors, and intestinal tumors -OR-
- Guardian or primary caregiver of patient 3-25 years old with one of the aforementioned tumors.
Exclusion criteria
- Patients who are known to be pregnant or prisoners.
Where
- Rochester, Minnesota
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jan 26, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations