Trial Design Considerations to Increase Older Adult Accrual to National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials

Navigating the Path to Inclusion: Understanding Barriers and Facilitators to Clinical Trial Participation Among Chinese Older Adults in the United States with Multimorbidity

CONTEXT

Older adults with multimorbidity are underrepresented in clinical trials, with enrollment of Asians particularly low.

OBJECTIVE

Understand perspectives of US Chinese older adults regarding clinical trial participation.

STUDY DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Focus group interviews analyzed using thematic analysis.

SETTING

Community/senior centers, academic health systems in Northern and Southern California, and a nationwide registry of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders.

POPULATION STUDIED

Mandarin- and English-speaking Chinese adults aged ≥ 65 years with multimorbidity.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Themes related to barriers and facilitators of enrollment in clinical trials of medications.

RESULTS

We conducted 12 focus groups: 7 with non-US-born and 5 with US-born Chinese older adults (n = 83 total). Mean age was 74 years (SD = 5.9), 43 (51.8%) were female, and 47 (56.6%) Mandarin-speaking. US-born participants had greater educational attainment than non-US-born participants. Participants took a mean of 6.1 prescriptions (SD = 1.5). Barriers to participation in clinical trials of medications included lack of awareness of/exposure for patients and community-based Chinese physicians, preference for natural/traditional medicine, risk aversion and safety concerns, desire for privacy, and inconvenience. Trusted influences included physicians, hospitals/health systems, Asian/Chinese community centers, and family (for non-US-born participants). Suggestions to enhance participation included using language and culturally concordant materials/personnel, educating community-based Chinese physicians about clinical trials, involving patient-trusted physicians in recruitment, promoting trials on conditions common in Chinese people or for an existing condition, and financial incentives. US-born participants expressed greater understanding and willingness to join trials. All groups attributed low clinical trial enrollment to non-US-born Chinese adults.

CONCLUSIONS

Chinese older adults perceived obstacles to clinical trial participation that could be mitigated by involving trusted physicians in recruitment, using language and culturally concordant materials/staff, and educating patients and community-based physicians. Recognition of differences in attitudes among US- and non-US-born Chinese people may be important to tailoring recruitment strategies.

Older adults with cancer and common comorbidities-challenges and opportunities in improving their cancer treatment outcomes

The older American population is rapidly increasing, and millions of older adults will be cancer survivors with comorbidities. This population faces specific challenges regarding treatment and has unique clinical needs. Recognizing this need, the National Cancer Institute, in collaboration with the National Institute on Aging, hosted a webinar series, entitled Cancer, Aging, and Comorbidities. This commentary provides a reflection of 5 thematic areas covered by the webinar series, which was focused on improving cancer treatment for older adults with cancer and comorbidities: 1) the impact of comorbidities on treatment tolerability and patient outcomes; 2) the impact of comorbidities on cancer clinical trial design; 3) the development of wearable devices in measuring comorbidities in cancer treatment; 4) the effects of nutrition and the microbiome on cancer therapy; and 5) the role of senescence and senotherapy in age-related diseases. Advances have been made in these areas, however, many gaps and challenges exist and are discussed in this commentary. To improve cancer survivorship in older populations with comorbidities, aging and comorbidities must be jointly considered and incorporated across the spectrum of cancer research. This includes more basic research of the mechanisms linking comorbidities and cancer development and treatment response, building critical resources and infrastructure (eg, preclinical models and patient samples), conducting clinical trials focused on the older population, integrating geriatric assessment into cancer treatment, and incorporating novel technologies, such as wearable devices, into clinical trials and cancer care.

Nivolumab+AVD in Advanced-Stage Classic Hodgkin's Lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Incorporating brentuximab vedotin into the treatment of advanced-stage classic Hodgkin's lymphoma improves outcomes in adult and pediatric patients. However, brentuximab vedotin increases the toxic effects of treatment in adults, more than half of pediatric patients who receive the drug undergo consolidative radiation, and relapse remains a challenge. Programmed death 1 blockade is effective in Hodgkin's lymphoma, including in preliminary studies involving previously untreated patients.

METHODS

We conducted a phase 3, multicenter, open-label, randomized trial involving patients at least 12 years of age with stage III or IV newly diagnosed Hodgkin's lymphoma. Patients were randomly assigned to receive brentuximab vedotin with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (BV+AVD) or nivolumab with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (N+AVD). Prespecified patients could receive radiation therapy directed to residual metabolically active lesions. The primary end point was progression-free survival, defined as the time from randomization to the first observation of progressive disease or death from any cause.

RESULTS

Of 994 patients who underwent randomization, 970 were included in the intention-to-treat population for efficacy analyses. At the second planned interim analysis, with a median follow-up of 12.1 months, the threshold for efficacy was crossed, indicating that N+AVD significantly improved progression-free survival as compared with BV+AVD (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.48; 99% confidence interval [CI], 0.27 to 0.87; two-sided P = 0.001). Owing to the short follow-up time, we repeated the analysis with longer follow-up; with a median follow-up of 2.1 years (range, 0 to 4.2 years), the 2-year progression-free survival was 92% (95% CI, 89 to 94) with N+AVD, as compared with 83% (95% CI, 79 to 86) with BV+AVD (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.65). Overall, 7 patients received radiation therapy. Immune-related adverse events were infrequent with nivolumab; brentuximab vedotin was associated with more treatment discontinuation.

CONCLUSIONS

N+AVD resulted in longer progression-free survival than BV+AVD in adolescents and adults with stage III or IV advanced-stage classic Hodgkin's lymphoma and had a better side-effect profile. (Funded by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health and others; S1826 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03907488.).

Current status of inclusion of older groups in evaluations of new medications: Gaps and implementation needs to fill them

Under-representation of subgroups of the population in clinical trials has been and continues to be a problem despite goals of academia, industry, and government. Older adults are among the groups that are under-represented in trials of medications that they are likely to receive once marketing approval has been received. Recent legislation that mandates that clinical trial participants be representative of patient population has been passed and creates hope that greater numbers of older adults will be enrolled in clinical trials and that they will be representative of "typical" geriatric patients. However, there is the need for collection of current data on disease prevalences with granularity as to age, gender, and race as well as geriatric co-morbidities to assess the representativeness of clinical trial participants relative to patient populations. Consensus on definitions and collection of data relevant to geriatric patient populations are needed to evaluate effects of comorbidities, frailty, cognitive and physical function. There will also be a need for expansion of the geriatric research workforce, facilities for research both in academic centers but also in the community and long-term care facilities, and for engagement with and involvement of communities that have been traditionally under-represented to conduct clinical trials that enroll truly representative patient populations.

Cancer research provides a model for advancing clinical trials in dementia in the era of disease-modifying Alzheimer's-type dementia therapies

Dementia and cancer are multifactorial, widely-feared, age-associated clinical syndromes that are increasing in prevalence. There have been major breakthroughs in clinical cancer research leading to some effective treatments, whereas the field of dementia has achieved comparatively limited success in clinical research. The lessons of cancer research may help those in the dementia research field in confronting some of the dilemmas faced when the clinical care regimen is not entirely safe or efficacious. Cancer clinical trials have assumed that untreated individuals with cancer are at high risk for morbidity and mortality after primary diagnoses. Thus, patients deserve a choice of clinical interventions, either standard of care or experimental, even if the benefits are not certain and the therapy's side effects are potentially severe. The prognosis for many individuals at risk for dementia carries a correspondingly high level of risk for both mortality and severe morbidity, particularly if one focuses on "health-span" rather than lifespan. Caregivers and patients can be strongly impacted by dementia and the many troubling associated symptoms that often go well beyond amnesia. Polls, surveys, and a literature on "dementia worry" strongly underscore that the public fears dementia. While there are institutional and industry hurdles that complicate enrollment in randomized trials, the gravity of the future morbidity and mortality inherent in a dementia diagnosis may require reconsideration of the current protective stance that limits the freedom of at-risk individuals (either symptomatic or asymptomatic) to participate and potentially benefit from ongoing clinical research. There is also evidence from both cancer and dementia research that individuals enrolled in the placebo arms of clinical trials have unexpectedly good outcomes, indicating that participation in clinical trial can have medical benefits to enrollees. To highlight aspects of cancer clinical research that may inform present and future dementia clinical research, this review highlights three main themes: the risk of side effects should be weighed against the often dire consequences of non-treatment; the desirability of long-term incremental (rather than "magic bullet") clinical advances; and, the eventual importance of combination therapies, reflecting that the dementia clinical syndrome has many underlying biological pathways.

Comorbid Dementia and Cancer Therapy Decision-Making: A Scoping Review

Comorbid dementia complicates cancer therapy decision-making in older adults. We aimed to synthesize the recent literature (<5 years) on the challenges associated with cancer therapy decision-making among older people living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers. Of the 20,763 references, 8767 had their title and abstract screened, and eight met the inclusion criteria. Six studies were qualitative, one study employed mixed methods, and one study was quasi-experimental. Most studies were conducted in the UK (89%) and reported homogeneity in race and geography. Breast (56%) and prostate (45%) were the most frequent reported cancers. Five studies (56%) reported multiple types of dementia, with two (22%) indicating stages. The studies indicated that communication between patients, caregivers, and clinical teams might alleviate stress caused by worsening health prospects and potential ethical concerns. Information from this review can lead to better-informed, patient-centered treatment decision processes among older PLWD and cancer, their caregivers, and clinicians.

Attitudes on participation in clinical drug trials: A nationally representative survey of older adults with multimorbidity

BACKGROUND

Older adults with multimorbidity are under-represented in clinical drug trials. Their inclusion will not increase unless they are willing and able to participate. Data on motivators and barriers to participation in trials of new medications of older adults with multimorbidity are needed.

METHODS

Cross-sectional internet and telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of adults ≥65 years with ≥3 chronic conditions (NORC University of Chicago Amerispeak Panel) conducted from March-April, 2023 to determine motivators and barriers to drug trial participation, described graphically and using statistics.

RESULTS

Surveyed 1318 (1142 Internet, 176 phone) with mean age 72.3 ± 6.3 (SD), 52% women; race: 83% White, 10% Black or African American, 5% Hispanic or Latino, 1.1% Asian; 4.4 ± 1.9 chronic conditions (of 16 queried), taking 7.5 ± 3.3 medications. Barriers included fear of side effects (48%), taking too many medications (44%), placebo (44%), mobility (33%), bathroom needs (25%), hearing (19%), eyesight (15%), video visits (33%; higher in women, Black or African-American respondents, and those ≥80 years). Sixty-five percent would join all in-person trials, 49% would join all-video trials. Travel >1 h was difficult for 66%, most difficult for women. Trust was a concern in 25% of Black respondents. Caregiving responsibilities or lack of time were not obstacles. Participants were most likely to consider a drug trial for a problem they have (63%) versus prevention (44%) and if invited by a physician (80%) or University healthcare system (58%). Getting better care was ranked very important (79%) followed by helping others (57%).

CONCLUSIONS

Major concerns of older patients with multimorbidity about participation in drug trials are potential side effects, taking too many medicines, and video visits. Physicians have the greatest influence on decisions and in-person visits are preferred. Proposed changes in trial design to increase enrollment of under-represented older adults may not align with patient-reported preferences.

Aging and cancer

Aging and cancer exhibit apparent links that we will examine in this review. The null hypothesis that aging and cancer coincide because both are driven by time, irrespective of the precise causes, can be confronted with the idea that aging and cancer share common mechanistic grounds that are referred to as 'hallmarks'. Indeed, several hallmarks of aging also contribute to carcinogenesis and tumor progression, but some of the molecular and cellular characteristics of aging may also reduce the probability of developing lethal cancer, perhaps explaining why very old age (> 90 years) is accompanied by a reduced incidence of neoplastic diseases. We will also discuss the possibility that the aging process itself causes cancer, meaning that the time-dependent degradation of cellular and supracellular functions that accompanies aging produces cancer as a byproduct or 'age-associated disease'. Conversely, cancer and its treatment may erode health and drive the aging process, as this has dramatically been documented for cancer survivors diagnosed during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. We conclude that aging and cancer are connected by common superior causes including endogenous and lifestyle factors, as well as by a bidirectional crosstalk, that together render old age not only a risk factor of cancer but also an important parameter that must be considered for therapeutic decisions.

Cardiovascular Concerns, Cancer Treatment, and Biological and Chronological Aging in Cancer: JACC Family Series

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer are leading causes of death globally, particularly among the rapidly growing population of older adults (OAs). CVD is a leading cause of mortality among cancer survivors, often accelerated by cancer treatments associated with short- or long-term cardiotoxicity. Moreover, there is a dynamic relationship among CVD, cancer, and aging, characterized by shared risk factors and biological hallmarks, that plays an important role in caring for OAs, optimizing treatment approaches, and developing preventive strategies. Assessment of geriatric domains (eg, functional status, comorbidities, cognition, polypharmacy, nutritional status, social support, psychological well-being) is critical to individualizing treatment of OAs with cancer. The authors discuss considerations in caring for an aging population with cancer, including methods for the assessment of OAs with CVD and/or cardiovascular risk factors planned for cancer therapy. Multidisciplinary care is critical in optimizing patient outcomes and maintaining quality of life in this growing vulnerable population.

Bridging research gaps in geriatric oncology: unraveling the potential of pragmatic clinical trials

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review examines the role of pragmatic clinical trials (PCTs) in addressing the underrepresentation of older adults with cancer (OAC) in clinical trials. Focusing on real-world evidence (RWE), it aims to provide a comprehensive overview of PCT utilization, emphasizing their potential to enhance treatment decisions and patient outcomes. Existing knowledge gaps in PCT implementation are also discussed.

RECENT FINDINGS

PCTs are identified as effective tools to include OACs with comorbidities and complex conditions in research, bridging the representation gap. Despite their proven value in healthcare provision, their application in OAC contexts remains limited, hindering comprehensive understanding and inclusivity in clinical trials.

SUMMARY

While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard in oncology research, OACs have historically been excluded, perpetuating underrepresentation. Furthermore, even in current oncology clinical development trials, this demographic continues to be underrepresented. PCTs offer a valuable avenue for the identification and evaluation of therapies within authentic RW contexts, encompassing various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and physician practices. RCTs and PCTs complement one another, and the utilization of PCTs has the potential to inform clinical decision-making across the OACs entire treatment trajectory.

Disparities in care of older adults of color with cancer: A narrative review

This review describes the barriers and challenges faced by older adults of color with cancer and highlights methods to improve their overall care. In the next decade, cancer incidence rates are expected to increase in the United States for people aged ≥65 years. A large proportion will be older adults of color who often have worse outcomes than older White patients. Many issues contribute to racial disparities in older adults, including biological factors and social determinants of health (SDOH) related to healthcare access, socioeconomic concerns, systemic racism, mistrust, and the neighborhood where a person lives. These disparities are exacerbated by age-related challenges often experienced by older adults, such as decreased functional status, impaired cognition, high rates of comorbidities and polypharmacy, poor nutrition, and limited social support. Additionally, underrepresentation of both patients of color and older adults in cancer clinical research results in a lack of adequate data to guide the management of these patients. Use of geriatric assessments (GA) can aid providers in uncovering age-related concerns and personalizing interventions for older patients. Research demonstrates the ability of GA-directed care to result in fewer treatment-related toxicities and improved quality of life, thus supporting the routine incorporation of validated GA into these patients' care. GA can be enhanced by including evaluation of SDOH, which can help healthcare providers understand and address the needs of older adults of color with cancer who face disparities related to their age and race.

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell and Bispecific Antibody Therapy in Multiple Myeloma: Moving Into the Future

Historically, the outcomes for individuals with triple-class refractory and penta-drug refractory multiple myeloma (MM) have been poor because of a dearth of effective treatment options. However, the advent of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell and T-cell redirecting bispecific antibody (BsAb) therapies has led to unprecedented response rates and durations of response in heavily relapsed/refractory (R/R) populations. Currently, two B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed CAR T-cell therapies (idecabtagene vicleucel and ciltacabtagene autoleucel) as well as one BCMA/CD3 BsAb (teclistamab) have been approved for late-line (greater than four previous lines) R/R MM in the United States. The purpose of this review is to analyze the recent data for these approved therapies as well as provide an overview of other related CAR T-cell and BsAb therapies under development, including non-BCMA-targeting agents. We review efficacy and safety considerations, with particular focus on cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity, and infection risk. The relative merits and limitations of each class of therapy are discussed, as well as the areas of unmet need with respect to optimal sequencing and supportive care measures. We examine the factors that challenge equitable access to these novel therapies across minoritized racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic populations. Although it is evident that CAR T-cell and BsAb therapies will transform treatment paradigms in MM for years to come, significant work remains to identify the optimal utilization of these novel therapies and ensure equitable access.

Carboplatin dosing in the treatment of ovarian cancer: An NRG oncology group study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of using National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines to estimate renal function on carboplatin dosing and explore adverse effects associated with a more accurate estimation of lower creatinine clearance (CrCl).

METHODS

Retrospective data were obtained for 3830 of 4312 patients treated on GOG182 (NCT00011986)-a phase III trial of platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced-stage ovarian cancer. Carboplatin dose per patient on GOG182 was determined using the Jelliffe formula. We recalculated CrCl to determine dosing using Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and Cockcroft-Gault (with/without NCCN recommended modifications) formulas. Associations between baseline CrCl and toxicity were described using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Sensitivity and positive predictive values described the model's ability to discriminate between subjects with/without the adverse event.

RESULTS

AUC statistics (range, 0.52-0.64) showed log(CrClJelliffe) was not a good predictor of grade ≥3 adverse events (anemia, thrombocytopenia, febrile neutropenia, auditory, renal, metabolic, neurologic). Of 3830 patients, 628 (16%) had CrCl <60 mL/min. Positive predictive values for adverse events ranged from 1.8%-15%. Using the Cockcroft-Gault, Cockcroft-Gault with NCCN modifications, and MDRD (instead of Jelliffe) formulas to estimate renal function resulted in a >10% decrease in carboplatin dosing in 16%, 32%, and 5.2% of patients, respectively, and a >10% increase in carboplatin dosing in 41%, 9.6% and 12% of patients, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The formula used to estimate CrCl affects carboplatin dosing. Estimated CrCl <60 mL/min (by Jelliffe) did not accurately predict adverse events. Efforts continue to better predict renal function. Endorsing National Cancer Institute initiatives to broaden study eligibility, our data do not support a minimum threshold CrCl <60 mL/min as an exclusion criterion from clinical trials.