Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) awarded a $604,347 Project Grant on July 7, 2026, to Massachusetts General Hospital to conduct a multi-site clinical trial of BREEZE+, a brief behavioral intervention for managing dyspnea in patients with advanced lung cancer. The grant funds development and evaluation of an enhanced intervention model that includes two nurse-led behavioral sessions, a booster session, and an integrated digital health application designed to reinforce dyspnea management skills and extend therapeutic benefits beyond the initial treatment period. This research directly supports the Cancer Treatment Research program (CFDA 93.395), which funds discovery, development, and clinical testing of cancer treatment methods, including supportive care approaches that reduce symptom burden and improve patient quality of life.

The project extends through June 30, 2031, and builds on successful single-center efficacy data demonstrating significant improvements in patient-reported dyspnea and functional wellbeing at eight weeks. The enhanced BREEZE+ model incorporates a digital health component to sustain intervention effects while maintaining scalability for broader dissemination within oncology settings. The intervention will be delivered by trained oncology nurses in tandem with standard cancer care, utilizing flexible modalities including in-person visits and secure video or telephone consultations to maximize participant access and engagement across a diverse patient population.