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Lane K, Hillery S, Majkowski R, Barney BJ, Amirault D, Nelson SJ, Bailey M, Unsicker EH, Stroud M, Eyzaguirre LM, Gawad A, Nanni A, Mirzoyan G, Cohen T, Waddy SP, Wiley K, Harris PA, Ford DE, Hanley D. Selecting trial centers using a standardized, automated site assessment survey instrument (SASI). Contemp Clin Trials 2024; 143:107583. [PMID: 38821259 PMCID: PMC11283960 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2024.107583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To improve the site selection process for clinical trials, we expanded a site survey to include standardized assessments of site commitment time, team experience, feasibility of tight timelines, and local medical community equipoise as factors that might better predict performance. We also collected contact information about institutional research services ahead of site onboarding. AIM As a first step, we wanted to confirm that an expanded survey could be feasible and generalizable-that asking site teams for more details upfront was acceptable and that the survey could be completed in a reasonable amount of time, despite the assessment length. METHODS A standardized, two-part Site Assessment Survey Instrument (SASI), examining qualitative components and with multiple contact list sections, was developed using a publicly accessible dashboard and later transferred to a REDCap platform. After multiple rounds of internal testing, the SASI was deployed 11 times for multicenter trials. Follow-up questionnaires were sent to site teams to confirm that an expanded survey instrument is acceptable to the research community and could be completed during a brief work shift. RESULTS Respondents thought the SASI collected useful and relevant information about their sites (100%). Sites were "comfortable" (90%) supplying detailed information early in the site selection process and 57% completed the SASI in one to two hours. CONCLUSIONS Coordinating centers and sites found the SASI tool to be acceptable and helpful when collecting data in consideration of multicenter trial site selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Lane
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes Division, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Shannon Hillery
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes Division, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Ryan Majkowski
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes Division, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Bradley J Barney
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Daniel Amirault
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes Division, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Sarah J Nelson
- Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Mary Bailey
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Eun Hea Unsicker
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Mary Stroud
- Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Lindsay M Eyzaguirre
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes Division, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Amy Gawad
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes Division, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Angeline Nanni
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes Division, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | | | - Theodora Cohen
- Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA; Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Salina P Waddy
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Ken Wiley
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Paul A Harris
- Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Daniel E Ford
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes Division, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Daniel Hanley
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes Division, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Lee K, Liu Z, Mai Y, Jun T, Ma M, Wang T, Ai L, Calay E, Oh W, Stolovitzky G, Schadt E, Wang X. Optimizing Clinical Trial Eligibility Design Using Natural Language Processing Models and Real-World Data: Algorithm Development and Validation. JMIR AI 2024; 3:e50800. [PMID: 39073872 DOI: 10.2196/50800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical trials are vital for developing new therapies but can also delay drug development. Efficient trial data management, optimized trial protocol, and accurate patient identification are critical for reducing trial timelines. Natural language processing (NLP) has the potential to achieve these objectives. OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess the feasibility of using data-driven approaches to optimize clinical trial protocol design and identify eligible patients. This involves creating a comprehensive eligibility criteria knowledge base integrated within electronic health records using deep learning-based NLP techniques. METHODS We obtained data of 3281 industry-sponsored phase 2 or 3 interventional clinical trials recruiting patients with non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, multiple myeloma, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn disease from ClinicalTrials.gov, spanning the period between 2013 and 2020. A customized bidirectional long short-term memory- and conditional random field-based NLP pipeline was used to extract all eligibility criteria attributes and convert hypernym concepts into computable hyponyms along with their corresponding values. To illustrate the simulation of clinical trial design for optimization purposes, we selected a subset of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (n=2775), curated from the Mount Sinai Health System, as a pilot study. RESULTS We manually annotated the clinical trial eligibility corpus (485/3281, 14.78% trials) and constructed an eligibility criteria-specific ontology. Our customized NLP pipeline, developed based on the eligibility criteria-specific ontology that we created through manual annotation, achieved high precision (0.91, range 0.67-1.00) and recall (0.79, range 0.50-1) scores, as well as a high F1-score (0.83, range 0.67-1), enabling the efficient extraction of granular criteria entities and relevant attributes from 3281 clinical trials. A standardized eligibility criteria knowledge base, compatible with electronic health records, was developed by transforming hypernym concepts into machine-interpretable hyponyms along with their corresponding values. In addition, an interface prototype demonstrated the practicality of leveraging real-world data for optimizing clinical trial protocols and identifying eligible patients. CONCLUSIONS Our customized NLP pipeline successfully generated a standardized eligibility criteria knowledge base by transforming hypernym criteria into machine-readable hyponyms along with their corresponding values. A prototype interface integrating real-world patient information allows us to assess the impact of each eligibility criterion on the number of patients eligible for the trial. Leveraging NLP and real-world data in a data-driven approach holds promise for streamlining the overall clinical trial process, optimizing processes, and improving efficiency in patient identification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yun Mai
- GendDx (Sema4), Stamford, CT, United States
| | - Tomi Jun
- GendDx (Sema4), Stamford, CT, United States
| | - Meng Ma
- GendDx (Sema4), Stamford, CT, United States
| | | | - Lei Ai
- GendDx (Sema4), Stamford, CT, United States
| | - Ediz Calay
- GendDx (Sema4), Stamford, CT, United States
| | - William Oh
- GendDx (Sema4), Stamford, CT, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Eric Schadt
- GendDx (Sema4), Stamford, CT, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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Schpero WL, Takvorian SU, Blickstein D, Shafquat A, Liu J, Chatterjee AK, Lamont EB, Chatterjee P. Association Between State Medicaid Policies and Accrual of Black or Hispanic Patients to Cancer Clinical Trials. J Clin Oncol 2024:JCO2301149. [PMID: 39052944 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.01149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE It is unknown whether Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or state-level policies mandating Medicaid coverage of the routine costs of clinical trial participation have ameliorated longstanding racial and ethnic disparities in cancer clinical trial enrollment. METHODS We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional difference-in-differences analysis examining the effect of Medicaid expansion on rates of enrollment for Black or Hispanic nonelderly adults in nonobservational, US cancer clinical trials using data from Medidata's Rave platform for 2012-2019. We examined heterogeneity in this effect on the basis of whether states had pre-existing mandates requiring Medicaid coverage of the routine costs of clinical trial participation. RESULTS The study included 47,870 participants across 1,353 clinical trials and 344 clinical trial sites. In expansion states, the proportion of participants who were Black or Hispanic increased from 16.7% before expansion to 17.2% after Medicaid expansion (0.5 percentage point [PP] change [95% CI, -1.1 to 2.0]). In nonexpansion states, this proportion increased from 19.8% before 2014 (when the first states expanded eligibility under the ACA) to 20.4% after 2014 (0.6 PP change [95% CI, -2.3 to 3.5]). These trends yielded a nonsignificant difference-in-differences estimate of 0.9 PP (95% CI, -2.6 to 4.4). Medicaid expansion was associated with a 5.3 PP (95% CI, 1.9 to 8.7) increase in the enrollment of Black or Hispanic participants in states with mandates requiring Medicaid coverage of the routine costs of trial participation, but not in states without mandates (-0.3 PP [95% CI, -4.5 to 3.9]). CONCLUSION Medicaid expansion was not associated with a significant increase in the proportion of Black or Hispanic oncology trial participants overall, but was associated with an increase specifically in states that mandated Medicaid coverage of the routine costs of trial participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- William L Schpero
- Division of Health Policy and Economics, Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY
- Center for Health Equity, Cornell University, New York, NY
| | - Samuel U Takvorian
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | | | - Jingshu Liu
- Medidata AI, a Dassault Systèmes Company, New York, NY
| | | | | | - Paula Chatterjee
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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Wiedower JA, Forbes SP, Tsai LJ, Liao J, Raez LE. Real-world clinical and economic outcomes for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer enrolled in a clinical trial following comprehensive genomic profiling via liquid biopsy. J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2024; 30:660-671. [PMID: 38950156 PMCID: PMC11220364 DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2024.30.7.660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oncology clinical trial enrollment is strongly recommended for patients with cancer who are not eligible for established and approved therapies. Many trials are specific to biomarker-targeted therapies, which are typically managed as specialty pharmacy services. Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) of advanced cancers has been shown to detect biomarkers, guide targeted treatment, improve outcomes, and result in the clinical trial enrollment of patients, which is modeled to offset pharmacy costs experienced by US payers, yet payer policy coverage remains inconsistent. A common concern limiting coverage of CGP by payers is the potential of identifying biomarkers beyond guideline-recommended treatments, which creates a perception that insurance companies are being positioned to "pay for research." However, these biomarkers can increase clinical trial eligibility, and specialty pharmacy management may have an interest in maximizing the clinical trial enrollment of members. OBJECTIVE To investigate if clinical trial enrollment following liquid biopsy CGP for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is clinically and/or economically impactful from a payer claims perspective. METHODS Clinical and economic outcomes were studied using a real-world clinical genomic database (including payer claims data) from patients with NSCLC who enrolled in clinical trials immediately following liquid biopsy CGP (using Guardant360) and matched NSCLC patient controls also tested with liquid biopsy CGP. RESULTS Real-world overall survival was significantly (log-rank P < 0.0001) better for patients enrolled in clinical trials with similar costs of care, albeit with more outpatient encounters among those enrolled compared with matched controls. CONCLUSIONS The results, together with previous analyses, suggest that, in addition to the clinical benefits associated with targeted therapies directed by CGP and other testing approaches, payers and specialty pharmacy managers may consider clinical trial direction and enrollment as a clinical and economic benefit of liquid biopsy CGP and adopt this into coverage decision frameworks and formularies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A. Wiedower
- Department of Nursing, Clemson University, SC
- Guardant Health, Redwood City, CA
| | | | | | | | - Luis E. Raez
- Thoracic Oncology Program, Memorial Cancer Institute/Memorial Healthcare System, Florida Atlantic University, Pembroke Pines
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Hantel A, Brunner AM, Plascak JJ, Uno H, Varela JC, Luskin MR, Rebbeck TR, Stone RM, Lathan CS, DeAngelo DJ, Abel GA. Racial and ethnic associations with comprehensive cancer center access and clinical trial enrollment for acute leukemia. J Natl Cancer Inst 2024; 116:1178-1184. [PMID: 38518098 PMCID: PMC11223832 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djae067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical trial participation at Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCC) is inequitable for minoritized racial and ethnic groups with acute leukemia. CCCs care for a high proportion of adults with acute leukemia. It is unclear if participation inequities are due to CCC access, post-access enrollment, or both. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults with acute leukemia (2010-2019) residing within Massachusetts, the designated catchment area of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC). Individuals were categorized as non-Hispanic Asian (NHA), Black (NHB), White (NHW), Hispanic White (HW), or Other. Decomposition analyses assessed covariate contributions to disparities in (1) access to DF/HCC care and (2) post-access enrollment. RESULTS Of 3698 individuals with acute leukemia, 85.9% were NHW, 4.5% HW, 4.3% NHB, 3.7% NHA, and 1.3% Other. Access was lower for HW (age- and sex-adjusted OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.45 to 0.90) and reduced post-access enrollment for HW (aOR = 0.54, 95% CI =0.34 to 0.86) and NHB (aOR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.39 to 0.92) compared to NHW. Payor and socioeconomic status (SES) accounted for 25.2% and 21.2% of the +1.1% absolute difference in HW access. Marital status and SES accounted for 8.0% and 7.0% of the -8.8% absolute disparity in HW enrollment; 76.4% of the disparity was unexplained. SES and marital status accounted for 8.2% and 7.1% of the -9.1% absolute disparity in NHB enrollment; 73.0% of the disparity was unexplained. CONCLUSIONS A substantial proportion of racial and ethnic inequities in acute leukemia trial enrollment at CCCs are from post-access enrollment, the majority of which was not explained by sociodemographic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Hantel
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew M Brunner
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jesse J Plascak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Hajime Uno
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Juan C Varela
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marlise R Luskin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Timothy R Rebbeck
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard M Stone
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Daniel J DeAngelo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gregory A Abel
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
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Vanderpool RC, Ng D, Huang G, Dwyer LA, Kueppers G. Disparities in cancer clinical trials information-seeking: Findings from the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2024; 127:108358. [PMID: 38936161 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2024.108358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To better understand cancer clinical trials (CCT) information-seeking, a necessary precursor to patient and provider engagement with CCT. METHODS Data from the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service (CIS) were used to examine CCT information-seeking patterns over a 5-year period. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine characteristics of CIS inquiries and their associations with having a CCT discussion. RESULTS Between September 2018 - August 2023, 117,016 CIS inquiries originated from cancer survivors, caregivers, health professionals, and the general public; 27.5 % of these inquiries included a CCT discussion (n = 32,160). Among CCT discussions, 35.5 % originated from survivors, 53.5 % from caregivers, 6.1 % from the public, and 4.9 % from health professionals. Inquiries in Spanish had lower odds of a CCT discussion (OR=.26, [.25-.28]), whereas inquiries emanating from the CIS instant messaging (OR=2.29, [2.22-2.37]) and email (OR=1.24, [1.18-1.30]) platforms were associated with higher odds of discussing CCT compared to the telephone. Individuals who were male, younger, insured, and had higher income and education had significantly higher odds of a CCT discussion while those who were non-Hispanic Black and living in rural locales had significantly lower odds. CONCLUSIONS Disparities in CCT information-seeking may contribute to downstream CCT participation. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Quality, language-concordant health information is needed to enable equitable awareness of - and ultimately engagement in - CCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin C Vanderpool
- National Cancer Institute, Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, 9609 Medical Center Dr, Rockville, MD, USA.
| | - Diane Ng
- Westat, 1600 Research Blvd, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Grace Huang
- Westat, 1600 Research Blvd, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Laura A Dwyer
- Cape Cox Facilities Services, 7050 Infantry Ridge Rd, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - George Kueppers
- National Cancer Institute, Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, 9609 Medical Center Dr, Rockville, MD, USA
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Feinberg IZ, Gajra A, Hetherington L, McCarthy KS. Simplifying informed consent as a universal precaution. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13195. [PMID: 38851754 PMCID: PMC11162480 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64139-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
One barrier to participating in clinical research is that patients with low literacy skills (1 in 5 US adults) may struggle to understand the informed consent document (ICD). Writing consents using health literacy and plain language guidelines including simplified syntax and semantics can increase understandability and facilitate inclusivity of research populations with literacy challenges. Our study aim was to evaluate a simplified ICD for understandability while considering factors known to relate to comprehension (reading skills and working memory). We performed an on-line survey of 192 adults ages 18-77 in Georgia. Participants performed significantly better on the simplified ICD test. We built an additional model with all version x measure interactions (i.e., age, sex, race, urbanicity, GMVT, WM). This model did not significantly improve model fit, F < 1.00, suggesting that individual differences did not moderate the effect of simplification. Our findings suggest that using plain language and simplified syntax and semantics in ICD as a universal precaution may reduce cognitive reading burden for adults regardless of differences in reading skill or working memory. Increasing understandability in ICD may help improve targets for clinical trial enrollment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Z Feinberg
- Department of Learning Sciences, College of Education and Human Development, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Ajeet Gajra
- Hematology Oncology Associates of CNY, East Syracuse, NY, USA
| | | | - Kathryn S McCarthy
- Department of Learning Sciences, College of Education and Human Development, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Ford KL, Quintanilha M, Trottier CF, Wismer W, Sawyer MB, Siervo M, Deutz NEP, Vallianatos H, Prado CM. Exploring relationships with food after dietary intervention in patients with colorectal cancer: a qualitative analysis from the Protein Recommendations to Increase Muscle (PRIMe) trial. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:418. [PMID: 38849604 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08620-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Patients with cancer often experience nutritional challenges and are vulnerable to muscle mass loss. While substantial research is directed towards understanding how nutritional interventions affect clinical outcomes, insights into patients' personal experiences during these trials remain limited. This qualitative study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of how participation in the Protein Recommendations to Increase Muscle (PRIMe) trial affected patients' relationships with food. METHODS A subset of patients who completed a minimum of one follow-up visit in the PRIMe trial participated in a semi-structured interview about their experience implementing dietary modifications to increase protein intake. Data from 26 patients with a recent diagnosis of stage II-IV colorectal cancer (non-cachectic) were included. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and qualitative content analysis was applied. RESULTS Most patients were male (65.4%) with stage II or III (69.2%) colorectal cancer and were a mean age of 57 ± 10 years. Five key themes emerged to provide a deeper understanding of patients' relationship with food after the PRIMe trial: (1) new positive perspectives on nutrition and coping with a cancer diagnosis; (2) embracing a comprehensive approach to food and nutrition; (3) facilitators promoting adherence to the intervention; (4) barriers challenging adherence to the intervention; and (5) shaping future dietary intake. CONCLUSION This qualitative study explored the emotional and psychological effects of a clinical nutrition trial on patients, focusing on their relationship with food. It underscored the trial's comprehensive intervention and its enduring influence on patients, extending beyond the immediate intervention phase. The role of current perspectives, motivation, and knowledge acquisition on ability to adhere to dietary changes to increase protein intake were emphasized by patients and are key considerations for both clinicians and researchers. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02788955; registration posted on 2016-06-02.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine L Ford
- Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 116 St and 85 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Maira Quintanilha
- Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 116 St and 85 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Claire F Trottier
- Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 116 St and 85 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Wendy Wismer
- Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 116 St and 85 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Michael B Sawyer
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Mario Siervo
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Nicolaas E P Deutz
- Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Helen Vallianatos
- Department of Anthropology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
| | - Carla M Prado
- Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 116 St and 85 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada.
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Khan MMM, Munir MM, Woldesenbet S, Khalil M, Endo Y, Katayama E, Altaf A, Dillhoff M, Obeng-Gyasi S, Pawlik TM. Disparities in clinical trial enrollment among patients with gastrointestinal cancer relative to minority-serving and safety-netting hospitals. J Gastrointest Surg 2024; 28:896-902. [PMID: 38555017 DOI: 10.1016/j.gassur.2024.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For results to be generalizable to all patients with cancer, clinical trials need to include a diverse patient demographic that is representative of the general population. We sought to characterize the effect of receiving care at a minority-serving hospital (MSH) and/or safety-net hospital on clinical trial enrollment among patients with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. METHODS Adult patients with GI cancer who underwent oncologic surgery and were enrolled in institutional-/National Cancer Institute-funded clinical trials between 2012 and 2019 were identified in the National Cancer Database. Multivariable regression was used to assess the relationship between MSH and safety-net status relative to clinical trial enrollment. RESULTS Among 1,112,594 patients, 994,598 (89.4%) were treated at a non-MSH, whereas 117,996 (10.6%) were treated at an MSH. Only 1857 patients (0.2%) were enrolled in a clinical trial; most patients received care at a non-MSH (1794 [96.6%]). On multivariable analysis, the odds of enrollment in a clinical trial were markedly lower among patients treated at an MSH vs non-MSH (odds ratio [OR], 0.32; 95% CI, 0.22-0.46). In addition, even after controlling for receipt of care at MSH, Black patients remained at lower odds of enrollment in a clinical trial than White patients (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.45-0.73; both P < .05). CONCLUSION Overall, clinical trial participation among patients with GI cancer was extremely low. Patients treated at an MSH and high safety-net burden hospitals and Black individuals were much less likely to be enrolled in a clinical trial. Efforts should be made to improve trial enrollment and address disparities in trial representation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Muntazir Mehdi Khan
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - Muhammad Musaab Munir
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - Selamawit Woldesenbet
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - Mujtaba Khalil
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - Yutaka Endo
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - Erryk Katayama
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - Abdullah Altaf
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - Mary Dillhoff
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - Samilia Obeng-Gyasi
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - Timothy M Pawlik
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States.
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Reyes-Monasterio A, Möller MG, Lozada-Martinez ID, Narvaez-Rojas AR, De la Cruz Ku G, Metke R, Cabrera-Vargas LF, Torregrosa-Almonacid L, Lesmes LC, Eli A, Paulinelli RR. Bridging frontiers: The role of a Global Breast Research Working Group. J Surg Oncol 2024; 129:1507-1514. [PMID: 38685712 DOI: 10.1002/jso.27660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a significant cause of death for women globally, despite advancements in detection and treatment, low- and middle-income countries face unique obstacles. Role of Research Working Group (RWG) can expedite research progress by fostering collaboration between scientists, clinicians, and stakeholders. Benefits of a Global RWG include pooling resources and expertise to develop new research ideas, addressing disparities, and building local research capacity, with the potential to improve breast cancer research and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Reyes-Monasterio
- Universidad Nacional Experimental Francisco de Miranda, Coro, Venezuela
- Global Breast Research Working Group, Miami, USA
| | - Mecker Geraldine Möller
- Global Breast Research Working Group, Miami, USA
- DeWitt-Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- Pritzker School of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ivan David Lozada-Martinez
- Global Breast Research Working Group, Miami, USA
- Department of Graduate Studies in Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Alexis Rafael Narvaez-Rojas
- Global Breast Research Working Group, Miami, USA
- DeWitt-Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
- International Coalition on Surgical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Gabriel De la Cruz Ku
- Global Breast Research Working Group, Miami, USA
- Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Perú
| | - Ricardo Metke
- Global Breast Research Working Group, Miami, USA
- Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, Universidad Javeriana de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luis Felipe Cabrera-Vargas
- Global Breast Research Working Group, Miami, USA
- Department of Surgery, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Lilian Torregrosa-Almonacid
- Global Breast Research Working Group, Miami, USA
- Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, Universidad Javeriana de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Avisar Eli
- Global Breast Research Working Group, Miami, USA
- DeWitt-Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Regis Resende Paulinelli
- Global Breast Research Working Group, Miami, USA
- Araujo Jorge Cancer Hospital, Albert Einstein Israeli Hospital Goiania, Federal University of Goias, Goiânia, Brazil
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Lond B, Dodd C, Davey Z, Darlison L, McPhelim J, Rawlinson J, Williamson I, Merriman C, Waddington F, Bagnallainslie D, Rajendran B, Usman J, Henshall C. A systematic review of the barriers and facilitators impacting patient enrolment in clinical trials for lung cancer. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2024; 70:102564. [PMID: 38554615 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2024.102564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Clinical research trials are needed to enhance the medical care and treatment for lung cancer, which remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While clinical trials allow for the development of novel therapies to treat cancer, the recruitment of lung cancer patients to trials is low. This review aimed to identify and synthesise the available literature concerning barriers and facilitators affecting lung cancer patients' decisions to enrol in clinical trials to guide future cancer research efforts. METHODS Four databases were systematically searched: Academic Search Complete, CINHAL, PubMed, and PsycINFO in August 2023. A supplemental grey literature search was also conducted alongside this. Articles were quality appraised using CASP and JMI checklists, and results were narratively synthesised. RESULTS Eighteen articles of varied design met the inclusion criteria, and results were mapped onto the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) Model to help structure and conceptualise review findings. Evidence suggests that the decision to enrol in a trial is multifaceted and informed by: when and how study information is presented, travel and trial eligibility, and altruistic hopes and fears. CONCLUSIONS There is need to address the many different concerns that lung cancer patients have about participating in a clinical trial through the supply of accessible and timely trial information, and via the reduction of travel, expansion of study eligibility criteria, and recognition of a person's altruistic wishes, hopes, fears, and family-oriented concerns. Future research should aim to work alongside lung cancer patients, clinicians, and other stakeholders to increase research accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Lond
- Oxford Institute of Applied Health Research, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Christopher Dodd
- Oxford Institute of Applied Health Research, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Zoe Davey
- Oxford Institute of Applied Health Research, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Liz Darlison
- University Hospitals of Leicester, The Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - John McPhelim
- University Hospital Hairmyres, NHS Lanarkshire, East Kilbride, United Kingdom
| | - Janette Rawlinson
- Lung Cancer Patient Advisory Group, European Lung Foundation, Sheffield, United Kingdom; British Thoracic Oncology Group Steering Committee, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Iain Williamson
- Division of Psychology, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Clair Merriman
- Oxford Institute of Applied Health Research, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford University Hospital Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Waddington
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, The Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Balaji Rajendran
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, The Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jesse Usman
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, The Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Henshall
- Oxford Institute of Applied Health Research, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, The Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
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12
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McPhee NJ, Leach M, Nightingale CE, Harris SJ, Segelov E, Ristevski E. Differences in cancer clinical trial activity and trial characteristics at metropolitan and rural trial sites in Victoria, Australia. Aust J Rural Health 2024; 32:569-581. [PMID: 38629876 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.13102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cancer clinical trials (CCTs) provide access to emerging therapies and extra clinical care. We aimed to describe the volume and characteristics of CCTs available across Victoria, Australia, and identify factors associated with rural trial location. METHODS Quantitative analysis of secondary data from Cancer Council Victoria's Clinical Trials Management Scheme dataset. DESIGN A cross-sectional study design was used. SETTING CCTs were available Victoria-wide in 2018. PARTICIPANTS There were 1669 CCTs and 5909 CCT participants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Rural CCT location was assessed as a binary variable with categories of 'yes' (modified Monash [MM] categories 2-7) and 'no' (MM category 1). MM categories were determined from postcodes. The highest ('least rural') MM category was used for postcodes with multiple MM categories. RESULTS Of 1669 CCTs, 168 (10.1%) were conducted in rural areas. Of 5909 CCT participants, 315 (5.3%) participated in rural CCTs. There were 526 CCTs (31.5%) with 1907 (32.3%) newly enrolled participants. Of 1892 newly enrolled participants with postcode data, 488 (25.8%) were rural residents. Of them, 368 (75.4%) participated in metropolitan CCTs. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis for all 1669 CCTs, odds of a rural rather than metropolitan CCT location were significantly (p-value <0.05) lower for early-phase than late-phase trials and non-solid than solid tumour trials but significantly (p-value <0.05) higher for non-industry than industry-sponsored trials. CONCLUSIONS In Victoria, 10% of CCTs are at rural sites. Most rural-residing CCT participants travel to metropolitan sites, where there are more late-phase, non-solid-tumour and industry-sponsored trials. Approaches to increase the volume and variety of rural CCTs should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narelle J McPhee
- School of Rural Health, Monash University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Leach
- School of Rural Health, Monash University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
| | - Claire E Nightingale
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Samuel J Harris
- Department of Medical Oncology, Bendigo Health, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eva Segelov
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Eli Ristevski
- Monash University, Monash Rural Health, Warragul, Victoria, Australia
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13
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Nwachukwu C, Makhnoon S, Person M, Muthukrishnan M, Kazmi S, Anderson LD, Kaur G, Kapinos KA, Williams EL, Fatunde O, Sadeghi N, Robles F, Basey A, Hulsey T, Pruitt SL, Gerber DE. Transferring care to enhance access to early-phase cancer clinical trials: Protocol to evaluate a novel program. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2024; 39:101292. [PMID: 38623454 PMCID: PMC11016932 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2024.101292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Involving diverse populations in early-phase (phase I and II) cancer clinical trials is critical to informed therapeutic development. However, given the growing costs and complexities of early-phase trials, trial activation and enrollment barriers may be greatest for these studies at healthcare facilities that provide care to the most diverse patient groups, including those in historically underserved communities (e.g., safety-net healthcare systems). To promote diverse and equitable access to early-phase cancer clinical trials, we are implementing a novel program for the transfer of care to enhance access to early-phase cancer clinical trials. We will then perform a mixed-methods study to determine perceptions and impact of the program. Specifically, we will screen, recruit, and enroll diverse patients from an urban, integrated safety-net healthcare system to open and active early-phase clinical trials being conducted in a university-based cancer center. To evaluate this novel program, we will: (1) determine program impact and efficiency; and (2) determine stakeholder experience with and perceptions of the program. To achieve these goals, we will conduct preliminary cost analyses of the program. We will also conduct surveys and interviews with patients and caregivers to elucidate program impact, challenges, and areas for improvement. We hypothesize that broadening access to early-phase cancer trials conducted at experienced centers may improve equity and diversity. In turn, such efforts may enhance the efficiency and generalizability of cancer clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chika Nwachukwu
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Sukh Makhnoon
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- O'Donnell School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Marieshia Person
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Meera Muthukrishnan
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- O'Donnell School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Syed Kazmi
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Larry D. Anderson
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Gurbakhash Kaur
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kandice A. Kapinos
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- O'Donnell School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- RAND Corporation, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Erin L. Williams
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Oluwatomilade Fatunde
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Navid Sadeghi
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Parkland Health, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Fabian Robles
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Parkland Health, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Alice Basey
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Patient Advocate Program, Office of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Thomas Hulsey
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Patient Advocate Program, Office of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Sandi L. Pruitt
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- O'Donnell School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - David E. Gerber
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- O'Donnell School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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14
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Verdini NP, Bryl KL, Baser RE, Lapen K, Mao JJ, Gillespie EF. Patient-Reported Outcomes as a Recruitment Strategy for Clinical Trial Enrollment. JAMA Oncol 2024; 10:784-788. [PMID: 38602690 PMCID: PMC11009859 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.0280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Importance Clinical trials are critical for progress in oncology; however, only 5% of the adult cancer population participates. Harnessing data that are routinely collected (ie, electronic patient-reported outcomes [ePROs]) may serve as a method to promote trial enrollment. Objective To evaluate if an ePRO-prompted recruitment strategy is associated with increased clinical trial enrollment. Design, Setting, and Participants A randomized substudy was conducted from September 2022 to March 2023 at a multisite tertiary cancer center as part of an ongoing clinical trial that was testing a symptom-intervention for cancer-related fatigue. Patients with breast cancer who were undergoing radiotherapy who completed at least 1 ePRO questionnaire during the study period were included. Physician-level cluster randomization assigned fatigue-eligible patients to either receive a portal message invitation to a symptom-intervention trial or standard of care (SOC; physician-based referral). Exposure ePRO questionnaires distributed in routine practice were queried weekly and screened for moderate or greater fatigue, the principle inclusion criterion for the primary trial. To assess the association of the portal message source with response and enrollment, every other patient received a message from the primary radiation oncology team or the referral service. Main Outcomes and Measures Clinical trial response/referral and enrollment. Results A total of 1041 patients completed ePRO questionnaires, of whom 394 (38%; 53 Asian [13.6%], 43 Black [11.0%], 29 Hispanic [7.4%], and 262 White individuals [66.5%]; median [IQR] age, 55 [47-65] years) endorsed moderate or greater fatigue while receiving treatment. A total of 210 patients (53.3%) were assigned to receive a portal message and 184 (46.7%) patients, SOC. In the portal message group, 73 patients (35%) responded and 41 (20%) enrolled compared with 1 patient (0.5%) referred and 0 enrolled in the SOC group (P < .001). The response rate to portal messages favored the referral service vs the primary radiation oncology service (44% vs 26%; P = .01), but there was no significant difference in enrollments. Conclusions and Relevance The study results suggest that use of routine care ePROs was associated with greater enrollment in a symptom-intervention trial compared with physician-based referral. Messaging directly from the referral service may support enrollment and help reduce oncology physician-level barriers to trial enrollment for studies testing symptom interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas P. Verdini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Karolina L. Bryl
- Integrative Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Raymond E. Baser
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Kaitlyn Lapen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Jun J. Mao
- Integrative Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Erin F. Gillespie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle
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15
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Verdini NP, Gelblum DY, Vertosick EA, Ostroff JS, Vickers AJ, Gomez DR, Gillespie EF. Evaluating a Physician Audit and Feedback Intervention to Increase Clinical Trial Enrollment in Radiation Oncology in a Multisite Tertiary Cancer Center: A Randomized Study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 119:11-16. [PMID: 37769853 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Clinical trial participation continues to be low, slowing new cancer therapy development. Few strategies have been prospectively tested to address barriers to enrollment. We investigated the effectiveness of a physician audit and feedback report to improve clinical trial enrollment. METHODS AND MATERIALS We conducted a randomized quality improvement study among radiation oncologists at a multisite tertiary cancer network. Physicians in the intervention group received quarterly audit and feedback reports comparing the physician's trial enrollments with those of their peers. The primary outcome was trial enrollments. RESULTS Among physicians randomized to receive the feedback report (n = 30), the median proportion of patients enrolled during the study period increased to 6.1% (IQR, 2.6%-9.3%) from 3.2% (IQR, 1.1%-10%) at baseline. Among those not receiving the feedback report (n = 29), the median proportion of patients enrolled increased to 4.1% (IQR, 1.3%-7.6%) from 1.6% (IQR, 0%-4.1%) at baseline. There was a nonsignificant change in the proportion of enrollments associated with receiving the feedback report (-0.6%; 95% CI, -3.0% to 1.8%; P = .6). Notably, there was an interaction between baseline trial accrual and receipt of feedback reports (P = .005), with enrollment declining among high accruers. There was an increase in enrollment throughout the study, regardless of study group (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS In this study, a positive effect of physician audit and feedback on clinical trial enrollment was not observed. Future efforts should avoid disincentivizing high accruers and might consider pairing feedback with other patient- or physician-level strategies. The increase in trial enrollment in both groups over time highlights the importance of including a comparison group in quality improvement studies to reduce confounding from secular trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas P Verdini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Daphna Y Gelblum
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Emily A Vertosick
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Jamie S Ostroff
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Andrew J Vickers
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Daniel R Gomez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Erin F Gillespie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
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Caston NE, Williams CP, Levitan EB, Griffin R, Azuero A, Wheeler SB, Rocque GB. Why location matters: associations between county-level characteristics and availability of National Cancer Oncology Research Program and National Cancer Institute sites. JNCI Cancer Spectr 2024; 8:pkae038. [PMID: 38745369 PMCID: PMC11163183 DOI: 10.1093/jncics/pkae038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The majority of patients with cancer seek care at community oncology sites; however, most clinical trials are available at National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated sites. Although the NCI National Cancer Oncology Research Program (NCORP) was designed to address this problem, little is known about the county-level characteristics of NCORP site locations. METHODS This cross-sectional analysis determined the association between availability of NCORP or NCI sites and county-level characteristic theme percentile scores from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Social Vulnerability Index themes. Health Resources and Services Administration's Area Health Resource Files were used to determine contiguous counties. We estimated risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using modified Poisson regression models to evaluate the association between county-level characteristics and site availability within singular and singular and contiguous counties. RESULTS Of 3141 included counties, 14% had an NCORP, 2% had an NCI, and 1% had both sites. Among singular counties, for a standard deviation increase in the racial and ethnic theme score, there was a 22% higher likelihood of NCORP site availability (95% CI = 1.10 to 1.36); for a standard deviation increase in the socioeconomic status theme score, there was a 24% lower likelihood of NCORP site availability (95% CI = 0.67 to 0.87). Associations were of smaller magnitude when including contiguous counties. NCI sites were located in more vulnerable counties. CONCLUSIONS NCORP sites were more often in racially diverse counties and less often in socioeconomically vulnerable counties. Research is needed to understand how clinical trial representation will increase if NCORP sites strategically increase their locations in more vulnerable counties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E Caston
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Courtney P Williams
- Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Emily B Levitan
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Russell Griffin
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Andres Azuero
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Stephanie B Wheeler
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Gabrielle B Rocque
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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17
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Kaur M, Frahm F, Lu Y, Ascha MS, Guadamuz JS, Dotan E, Gottesman AS, Leybovich BC, Sondhi A, Zhao Y, Meropol NJ, Royce TJ. Broadening Eligibility Criteria and Diversity among Patients for Cancer Clinical Trials. NEJM EVIDENCE 2024; 3:EVIDoa2300236. [PMID: 38771994 DOI: 10.1056/evidoa2300236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Certain populations have been historically underrepresented in clinical trials. Broadening eligibility criteria is one approach to inclusive clinical research and achieving enrollment goals. How broadened trial eligibility criteria affect the diversity of eligible participants is unknown. METHODS Using a nationwide electronic health record-derived deidentified database, we identified a retrospective cohort of patients diagnosed with 22 cancer types between April 1, 2013 and December 31, 2022 who received systemic therapy (N=235,234) for cancer. We evaluated strict versus broadened eligibility criteria using performance status and liver, kidney, and hematologic function around first line of therapy. We performed logistic regression to estimate odds ratios for exclusion by strict criteria and their association with measures of patient diversity, including sex, age, race or ethnicity, and area-level socioeconomic status (SES); estimated the impact of broadening criteria on the number and distribution of eligible patients; and performed Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios for real-world overall survival (rwOS) comparing patients meeting strict versus broadened criteria. RESULTS When applying common strict cutoffs for eligibility criteria to patients with complete data and weighting each cancer type equally, 48% of patients were eligible for clinical trials. Female (odds ratio, 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25 to 1.35), older (age 75+ vs. 18 to 49 years old: odds ratio, 3.04; 95% CI, 2.85 to 3.24), Latinx (odds ratio, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.39 to 1.54), non-Latinx Black (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.16), and lower-SES patients were more likely to be excluded using strict eligibility criteria. Broadening criteria increased the number of eligible patients by 78%, with the strongest impact for older, female, non-Latinx Black, and lower-SES patients. Patients who met only broadened criteria had worse rwOS versus those with strict criteria (hazard ratio, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.27 to 1.34). CONCLUSIONS Data-driven evaluation of clinical trial eligibility criteria may optimize the eligibility of certain historically underrepresented groups and promote access to more inclusive trials. (Sponsored by Flatiron Health.).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jenny S Guadamuz
- Flatiron Health, New York
- School of Public Health, Division of Health Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley
| | - Efrat Dotan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia
| | | | | | | | | | - Neal J Meropol
- Flatiron Health, New York
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland
| | - Trevor J Royce
- Flatiron Health, New York
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
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18
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Honushefsky A, Wagner ES, Sheridan K, Spickard KM, LeMasters WR, Walter CN, Beaver T, Lennon AM, Papadopoulos N, Rahm AK, Buchanan AH. Real-time evaluation and adaptation to facilitate rapid recruitment in a large, prospective cohort study. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:336. [PMID: 38481315 PMCID: PMC10938733 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10750-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recruiting large cohorts efficiently can speed the translation of findings into care across a range of scientific disciplines and medical specialties. Recruitment can be hampered by factors such as financial barriers, logistical concerns, and lack of resources for patients and clinicians. These and other challenges can lead to underrepresentation in groups such as rural residents and racial and ethnic minorities. Here we discuss the implementation of various recruitment strategies for enrolling participants into a large, prospective cohort study, assessing the need for adaptations and making them in real-time, while maintaining high adherence to the protocol and high participant satisfaction. METHODS While conducting a large, prospective trial of a multi-cancer early detection blood test at Geisinger, an integrated health system in central Pennsylvania, we monitored recruitment progress, adherence to the protocol, and participants' satisfaction. Tracking mechanisms such as paper records, electronic health records, research databases, dashboards, and electronic files were utilized to measure each outcome. We then reviewed study procedures and timelines to list the implementation strategies that were used to address barriers to recruitment, protocol adherence and participant satisfaction. RESULTS Adaptations to methods that contributed to achieving the enrollment goal included offering multiple recruitment options, adopting group consenting, improving visit convenience, increasing the use of electronic capture and the tracking of data and source documents, staffing optimization via leveraging resources external to the study team when appropriate, and integrating the disclosure of study results into routine clinical care without adding unfunded work for clinicians. We maintained high protocol adherence and positive participant experience as exhibited by a very low rate of protocol deviations and participant complaints. CONCLUSION Recruiting rapidly for large studies - and thereby facilitating clinical translation - requires a nimble, creative approach that marshals available resources and changes course according to data. Planning a rigorous assessment of a study's implementation outcomes prior to study recruitment can further ground study adaptations and facilitate translation into practice. This can be accomplished by proactively and continuously assessing and revising implementation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric S Wagner
- Geisinger, 549 Fair Street, Bloomsburg, PA, 17815, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Taryn Beaver
- Geisinger, 549 Fair Street, Bloomsburg, PA, 17815, USA
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Smith KL, Mead‐Harvey C, Mazza GL, Shinn EH, Frank ES, Melisko ME, Eaton C, Liu Y, Salamone JM, Pollastro T, Spears PA, Caston NE, Wolff AC, Rocque GB. TBCRC 057: Survey about willingness to participate in cancer clinical trials during the pandemic. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e7090. [PMID: 38466037 PMCID: PMC10926883 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer patients experienced heightened anxiety during the pandemic. Also, modifications to clinical trial activities allowing for virtual platforms, local assessments, and greater flexibility were introduced to facilitate participation. We sought to evaluate the association between pandemic-related anxiety and willingness to participate in trials and how pandemic-era modifications to trial activities affect the decision to participate. METHODS We conducted an online survey from August to September, 2021 of patients with breast cancer assessing pandemic-related anxiety; clinical trials knowledge and attitudes; willingness to participate during and before the pandemic; and how each modification affects the decision to participate. Fisher's exact tests evaluated differences in proportions and two-sample t-tests evaluated differences in means. The association of pandemic-related anxiety with a decline in willingness to participate during compared to prior to the pandemic was modeled using logistic regression. RESULTS Among 385 respondents who completed the survey, 81% reported moderate-severe pandemic-related anxiety. Mean willingness to participate in a trial was lower during the pandemic than prior [2.97 (SD 1.17) vs. 3.10 (SD 1.09), (p < 0.001)]. Severe anxiety was associated with higher odds of diminished willingness to participate during the pandemic compared to prior (OR 5.07). Each of the modifications, with the exception of opting out of research-only blood tests, were endorsed by >50% of respondents as strategies that would increase their likelihood of deciding to participate. CONCLUSIONS While pandemic-related anxiety was associated with diminished willingness to participate in trials, the leading reasons for reluctance to consider trial participation were unrelated to the pandemic but included worries about not getting the best treatment, side effects, and delaying care. Patients view trial modifications favorably, supporting continuation of these modifications, as endorsed by the National Cancer Institute and others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Lisa Smith
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Women's Malignancies Disease GroupJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Present address:
AstraZenecaGaithersburgMarylandUSA
| | | | - Gina L. Mazza
- Department of Quantitative Health SciencesMayo ClinicScottsdaleArizonaUSA
| | - Eileen H. Shinn
- Department of Behavioral Science, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population SciencesThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | | | - Michelle E. Melisko
- Department of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology)University of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Cyd Eaton
- Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Data Management CoreJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Yisi Liu
- Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Data Management CoreJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | | | | | - Patricia A. Spears
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Nicole E. Caston
- Division of Hematology and OncologyUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)BirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Antonio C. Wolff
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Women's Malignancies Disease GroupJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Gabrielle Betty Rocque
- Division of Hematology and OncologyUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)BirminghamAlabamaUSA
- Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative CareUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)BirminghamAlabamaUSA
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Wilhøft Kristensen A, Lunde Jensen A, Jensen K, Oksbjerre Dalton S, Friborg J, Grau C. Exploring patient-reported barriers to participating in proton therapy clinical trials. Tech Innov Patient Support Radiat Oncol 2024; 29:100230. [PMID: 38186677 PMCID: PMC10767209 DOI: 10.1016/j.tipsro.2023.100230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Clinical trials lead the progress in healthcare. To ensure reliable research conclusions, it is essential to enroll diverse patient groups. Identifying and understanding patient-reported barriers to clinical trials may help enhance recruitment among diverse patient groups.The clinical potential of proton therapy (PT) to reduce late effects is being investigated in clinical trials worldwide. Thus, for some patients, PT is only accessible by participating in clinical trials.Individuals with smoking-related head and neck cancer (HNC) are sometimes socioeconomically deprived, leading to barriers to trial participation. This study aims to identify barriers to their participation in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) involving PT. Method Interviews were conducted with 14 HNC patients declining participation in an RCT involving PT. The interviews were transcribed and systematically analysed using an inductive approach identifying categories and themes. Results The identified barriers to RCT-participation are: (1) existential distress, which influenced participants' mental and cognitive capacities, (2) insufficient RCT-related knowledge arising from information overload during clinical consultations, (3) the wish for safety and familiarity during the treatment trajectory, particularly for participants needing accommodation during radiotherapy, and (4) the motivation for study participation was impacted by uncertainty due to randomisation and clinical equipoise. Existential distress is identified as an overarching theme because it influences and amplifies the other three themes. Conclusion Existential distress is a central theme that influences and amplifies other participation barriers in PT RCTs. It affects participants' comprehension of trial information, their preference for familiar environments, and their motivation to participate in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Wilhøft Kristensen
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 25, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Annesofie Lunde Jensen
- Steno Diabetes Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Kenneth Jensen
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 25, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | | | - Jeppe Friborg
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cai Grau
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 25, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
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Singh G, Wague A, Arora A, Rao V, Ward D, Barry J. Discontinuation and nonpublication of clinical trials in orthopaedic oncology. J Orthop Surg Res 2024; 19:121. [PMID: 38317223 PMCID: PMC10845780 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-024-04601-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the pivotal role of clinical trials in advancing orthopaedic oncology knowledge and treatment strategies, the persistent issues of trial discontinuation and nonpublication are significant problems. This study conducted an analysis examining clinical trial discontinuation rates, associations between intervention types and discontinuation/nonpublication, and the role of funding, enrollment size, and their implications for trial success and completion. METHODS This study, conducted on May 1, 2023, utilized a cross-sectional design to comprehensively analyze phase 3 and 4 randomized controlled trials within the realm of orthopaedic oncology. We specifically incorporated Phase 3 and 4 trials as they are designed to evaluate prolonged outcomes in human subjects and are more likely to reach publication. Study characteristics of interest included the intervention utilized in the clinical trial, presence of funding, whether the trial was published, completed, and trial enrollment size. The investigation involved an examination of ClinicalTrials.gov, a prominent online repository of clinical trial data managed by the National Library of Medicine of the USA. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS Among the cohort of 130 trials, 19.2% were prematurely discontinued. Completion rates varied based on intervention type; 111 pharmaceutical trials demonstrated a completion rate of 83.8%, whereas 19 non-pharmaceutical trials exhibited a completion rate of 8.0% (P < .001). Surgical trials, totaling 10, showed a completion rate of 90%. The overall trial publication rate was 86.15%, with pharmaceutical interventions achieving a publication rate of 91.96%. Larger-scale trials (≥ 261 participants) emerged as a protective factor against both discontinuation (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 0.85, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.42-0.95) and nonpublication (AOR: 0.19, 95% CI 0.13-.47), compared to smaller-scale trials. CONCLUSION This study accentuates the heightened vulnerability of non-pharmaceutical interventions and trials exhibiting lower rates of enrollment to the issues of discontinuation and nonpublication. Moving forward, the advancement of clinical trials necessitates a concerted effort to enhance trial methodologies, especially concerning nonpharmaceutical interventions, along with a meticulous refinement of participant enrollment criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurbinder Singh
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Aboubacar Wague
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Ayush Arora
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Varun Rao
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Derek Ward
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Jeffrey Barry
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
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22
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Cummins MR, Soni H, Ivanova J, Ong T, Barrera J, Wilczewski H, Welch B, Bunnell BE. Narrative review of telemedicine applications in decentralized research. J Clin Transl Sci 2024; 8:e30. [PMID: 38384915 PMCID: PMC10880018 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2024.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Telemedicine enables critical human communication and interaction between researchers and participants in decentralized research studies. There is a need to better understand the overall scope of telemedicine applications in clinical research as the basis for further research. This narrative, nonsystematic review of the literature sought to review and discuss applications of telemedicine, in the form of synchronous videoconferencing, in clinical research. We searched PubMed to identify relevant literature published between January 1, 2013, and June 30, 2023. Two independent screeners assessed titles and abstracts for inclusion, followed by single-reviewer full-text screening, and we organized the literature into core themes through consensus discussion. We screened 1044 publications for inclusion. Forty-eight publications met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. We identified six core themes to serve as the structure for the narrative review: infrastructure and training, recruitment, informed consent, assessment, monitoring, and engagement. Telemedicine applications span all stages of clinical research from initial planning and recruitment to informed consent and data collection. While the evidence base for using telemedicine in clinical research is not well-developed, existing evidence suggests that telemedicine is a potentially powerful tool in clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mollie R. Cummins
- University of Utah, College of Nursing, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me Inc., Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Hiral Soni
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me Inc., Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Triton Ong
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me Inc., Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Janelle Barrera
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me Inc., Rochester, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Brandon Welch
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me Inc., Rochester, NY, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Brian E. Bunnell
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me Inc., Rochester, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
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Lam AB, Moore V, Nipp RD. Care Delivery Interventions for Individuals with Cancer: A Literature Review and Focus on Gastrointestinal Malignancies. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 12:30. [PMID: 38200936 PMCID: PMC10779432 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal malignancies represent a particularly challenging condition, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach to management in order to meet the unique needs of these individuals and their caregivers. PURPOSE In this literature review, we sought to describe care delivery interventions that strive to improve the quality of life and care for patients with a focus on gastrointestinal malignancies. CONCLUSION We highlight patient-centered care delivery interventions, including patient-reported outcomes, hospital-at-home interventions, and other models of care for individuals with cancer. By demonstrating the relevance and utility of these different care models for patients with gastrointestinal malignancies, we hope to highlight the importance of developing and testing new interventions to address the unique needs of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh B. Lam
- Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Vanessa Moore
- College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA;
| | - Ryan D. Nipp
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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24
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Pries-Heje MM, Hjulmand JG, Lenz IT, Hasselbalch RB, Povlsen JA, Ihlemann N, Køber N, Tofterup ML, Østergaard L, Dalsgaard M, Faurholt-Jepsen D, Wienberg M, Christiansen U, Bruun NE, Fosbøl E, Moser C, Iversen KK, Bundgaard H. Clinical implementation of partial oral treatment in infective endocarditis: the Danish POETry study. Eur Heart J 2023; 44:5095-5106. [PMID: 37879115 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In the Partial Oral Treatment of Endocarditis (POET) trial, stabilized patients with left-sided infective endocarditis (IE) were randomized to oral step-down antibiotic therapy (PO) or conventional continued intravenous antibiotic treatment (IV), showing non-inferiority after 6 months. In this study, the first guideline-driven clinical implementation of the oral step-down POET regimen was examined. METHODS Patients with IE, caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus spp. or coagulase-negative staphylococci diagnosed between May 2019 and December 2020 were possible candidates for initiation of oral step-down antibiotic therapy, at the discretion of the treating physician. The composite primary outcome in patients finalizing antibiotic treatment consisted of embolic events, unplanned cardiac surgery, relapse of bacteraemia and all-cause mortality within 6 months. RESULTS A total of 562 patients [median age 74 years (IQR, interquartile range, 65-80), 70% males] with IE were possible candidates; PO was given to 240 (43%) patients and IV to 322 (57%) patients. More patients in the IV group had IE caused by S. aureus, or had an intra-cardiac abscess, or a pacemaker and more were surgically treated. The primary outcome occurred in 30 (13%) patients in the PO group and in 59 (18%) patients in the IV group (P = .051); in the PO group, 20 (8%) patients died vs. 46 (14%) patients in the IV group (P = .024). PO-treated patients had a shorter median length of stay [PO 24 days (IQR 17-36) vs. IV 43 days (IQR 32-51), P < .001]. CONCLUSIONS After clinical implementation of the POET regimen almost half of the possible candidates with IE received oral step-down antibiotic therapy. Patients in the IV group had more serious risk factors for negative outcomes. At 6-month follow-up, there was a numerically but not statistically significant difference towards a lower incidence of the primary outcome, a lower incidence of all-cause mortality and a reduced length of stay in the PO group. Due to the observational design of the study, the lower mortality may to some extent reflect selection bias and unmeasured confounding. Clinical implementation of PO regimens seemed feasible and safe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Marie Pries-Heje
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julie Glud Hjulmand
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ingrid Try Lenz
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rasmus Bo Hasselbalch
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital-Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Nikolaj Ihlemann
- Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nana Køber
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Lauge Østergaard
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Dalsgaard
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Daniel Faurholt-Jepsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Malene Wienberg
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-North Zealand, Hilleroed, Denmark
| | | | - Niels Eske Bruun
- Department of Cardiology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aalborg, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emil Fosbøl
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus Moser
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kasper Karmark Iversen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital-Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henning Bundgaard
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Orsso CE, Ford KL, Kiss N, Trujillo EB, Spees CK, Hamilton-Reeves JM, Prado CM. Optimizing clinical nutrition research: the role of adaptive and pragmatic trials. Eur J Clin Nutr 2023; 77:1130-1142. [PMID: 37715007 PMCID: PMC10861156 DOI: 10.1038/s41430-023-01330-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Evidence-based nutritional recommendations address the health impact of suboptimal nutritional status. Efficacy randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have traditionally been the preferred method for determining the effects of nutritional interventions on health outcomes. Nevertheless, obtaining a holistic understanding of intervention efficacy and effectiveness in real-world settings is stymied by inherent constraints of efficacy RCTs. These limitations are further compounded by the complexity of nutritional interventions and the intricacies of the clinical context. Herein, we explore the advantages and limitations of alternative study designs (e.g., adaptive and pragmatic trials), which can be incorporated into RCTs to optimize the efficacy or effectiveness of interventions in clinical nutrition research. Efficacy RCTs often lack external validity due to their fixed design and restrictive eligibility criteria, leading to efficacy-effectiveness and evidence-practice gaps. Adaptive trials improve the evaluation of nutritional intervention efficacy through planned study modifications, such as recalculating sample sizes or discontinuing a study arm. Pragmatic trials are embedded within clinical practice or conducted in settings that resemble standard of care, enabling a more comprehensive assessment of intervention effectiveness. Pragmatic trials often rely on patient-oriented primary outcomes, acquire outcome data from electronic health records, and employ broader eligibility criteria. Consequently, adaptive and pragmatic trials facilitate the prompt implementation of evidence-based nutritional recommendations into clinical practice. Recognizing the limitations of efficacy RCTs and the potential advantages of alternative trial designs is essential for bridging efficacy-effectiveness and evidence-practice gaps. Ultimately, this awareness will lead to a greater number of patients benefiting from evidence-based nutritional recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila E Orsso
- Human Nutrition Research Unit, Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Katherine L Ford
- Human Nutrition Research Unit, Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Kinesiology & Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Nicole Kiss
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Elaine B Trujillo
- Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Colleen K Spees
- Divison of Medical Dietetics, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jill M Hamilton-Reeves
- Department of Urology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Carla M Prado
- Human Nutrition Research Unit, Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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Hallgren E, Yeary KHK, DelNero P, Johnson-Wells B, Purvis RS, Moore R, Loveless S, Shealy K, McElfish PA. Barriers, facilitators, and priority needs related to cancer prevention, control, and research in rural, persistent poverty areas. Cancer Causes Control 2023; 34:1145-1155. [PMID: 37526781 PMCID: PMC10547626 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-023-01756-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to identify the barriers, facilitators, and priority needs related to cancer prevention, control, and research in persistent poverty areas. METHODS We conducted three focus groups with 17 providers and staff of primary care clinics serving persistent poverty areas throughout the state of Arkansas. RESULTS We identified multiple barriers, facilitators, and priority needs related to cancer prevention and control at primary care clinics serving persistent poverty areas. Barriers included transportation, medical costs, limited providers and service availability, and patient fear/discomfort with cancer topics. Facilitators identified were cancer navigators and community health events/services, and priority needs included patient education, comprehensive workflows, improved communication, and integration of cancer navigators into healthcare teams. Barriers to cancer-related research were lack of provider/staff time, patient uncertainty/skepticism, patient health literacy, and provider skepticism/concerns regarding patient burden. Research facilitators included better informing providers/staff about research studies and leveraging navigators as a bridge between clinic and patients. CONCLUSION Our results inform opportunities to adapt and implement evidence-based interventions to improve cancer prevention, control, and research in persistent poverty areas. To improve cancer prevention and control, we recommend locally-informed strategies to mitigate patient barriers, improved patient education efforts, standardized patient navigation workflows, improved integration of cancer navigators into care teams, and leveraging community health events. Dedicated staff time for research, coordination of research and clinical activities, and educating providers/staff about research studies could improve cancer-related research activities in persistent poverty areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Hallgren
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 2708 S. 48th St., Springdale, AR, 72762, USA.
| | - Karen H K Yeary
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Peter DelNero
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 2708 S. 48th St., Springdale, AR, 72762, USA
| | - Beverly Johnson-Wells
- UAMS Regional Programs, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, West Helena, AR, USA
| | - Rachel S Purvis
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 2708 S. 48th St., Springdale, AR, 72762, USA
| | - Ramey Moore
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 2708 S. 48th St., Springdale, AR, 72762, USA
| | - Stephanie Loveless
- UAMS Regional Programs, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, West Helena, AR, USA
| | - Kristen Shealy
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Pearl A McElfish
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 2708 S. 48th St., Springdale, AR, 72762, USA
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Pal A, Smith B, Allan C, Karikios D, Boyle F. Improving Access to Cancer Clinical Trials for Patients From Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds in Australia: A Survey of Clinical and Research Professionals. JCO Oncol Pract 2023; 19:1039-1047. [PMID: 37677123 DOI: 10.1200/op.23.00291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Patients with cancer from racial and ethnic minorities, referred to as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) in Australia, are significantly under-represented in cancer clinical trials. We performed a national survey of the Australian cancer clinical trials workforce to determine barriers and preferred solutions to address this inequity. METHODS A 15-item online survey containing both closed- and open-ended purpose-designed questions was created using REDCap. The survey was emailed to members of the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, Medical Oncology Group of Australia, and Australian cancer cooperative trial groups, and promoted via Twitter. Descriptive analyses summarized quantitative data, and free-text entries underwent thematic analysis with NVivo Version 12. RESULTS Ninety one respondents completed the survey-with representation across Australia. Eighty-seven percent were directly involved in clinical trial recruitment. Sixty-eight percent were clinicians. Seventy-four percent of respondents did not collect routine data on CALD patient enrollment to cancer clinical trials. Communication (eg, lack of translated materials) and opportunity-related barriers (eg, exclusionary trial protocols) were the most frequently perceived barriers to recruitment. Additionally, qualitative analysis indicated that insufficient consultation time and difficulties accessing interpreters for patients with non-English language preference were significant barriers. Trial navigators and a generic cancer trial pamphlet available in multiple languages were judged the most likely solutions to improve recruitment. CONCLUSION This study articulates the Australian clinical trials workforce's perspective on current barriers and potential solutions to the under-representation of patients from CALD backgrounds on cancer clinical trials. The insights and solutions from this survey provide steps toward achieving equity in Australian cancer clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit Pal
- Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ben Smith
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Abdel-Rahman O. Geographic Disparities in Access to Cancer Clinical Trials in Canada. Am J Clin Oncol 2023; 46:512-516. [PMID: 37641196 DOI: 10.1097/coc.0000000000001039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate geographic disparities in access to cancer clinical trials across Canada. METHODS Cancer clinical trial data recorded within the clinicaltrials.gov and reporting the conduct of any of these trials in Canada, 2005 to 2023 were reviewed. Frequency analyses of the number of clinical trials that were registered on clinicaltrials.gov for Canada, individual Canadian provinces, main Canadian urban centers, and different cancer types, according to the funding source (industry versus non-industry), as well as according to different periods (using 3-y intervals) were conducted. Moreover, a comparison of cancer clinical trials per 10,000 persons was done between Canada and the United States. RESULTS The number of cancer clinical trials per 10,000 individuals (according to the 2021 census) in each province/territory varied between 6.79 (New Brunswick) to 0 (the 3 territories). The number of cancer clinical trials in relation to 1000 projected cancer cases for some of the common tumor types in Canada was then reviewed. The highest number was for lymphoma clinical trials (32.85), whereas the lowest number was for bladder cancer clinical trials (7.06). Most of the trials have industry funding (69%). Using 3-year intervals, the highest number of cancer clinical trials was observed from 2014 to 2016 (778 trials), and the lowest number was observed from 2020 to 2022 (633 trials). CONCLUSIONS Access to clinical trials in Canada is not equitably distributed, with geographical and primary tumor site disparities. Moreover, access to cancer clinical trials has been negatively impacted during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Abdel-Rahman
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Sood D, Mayo SC. Understanding Barriers to Enrollment in Adjuvant Clinical Trials: Insights into Patient Eligibility Criteria from the Adjuvant S-1 for Cholangiocarcinoma Trial (JCOG1202, ASCOT). Ann Surg Oncol 2023; 30:6967-6969. [PMID: 37684366 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-14272-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Divya Sood
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Skye C Mayo
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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Zhang S, Zhang J, Liu S, Pang H, Stinchcombe TE, Wang X. Enrollment Success, Factors, and Prediction Models in Cancer Trials (2008-2019). JCO Oncol Pract 2023; 19:1058-1068. [PMID: 37793091 PMCID: PMC10667018 DOI: 10.1200/op.23.00147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the enrollment success rate of cancer clinical trials conducted in 2008-2019 and various factors lowering the enrollment success rate. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study with clinical trial information from the largest registration database ClinicalTrials.gov. Enrollment success rate was defined as actual enrollment greater or equal to 85% of the estimated enrollment goal. The association between trial characteristics and enrollment success was evaluated using the multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 4,004 trials in breast, lung, and colorectal cancers were included. The overall enrollment success rate was 49.1%. Compared with 2008-2010 (51.5%) and 2011-2013 (52.1%), the enrollment success rate is lower in 2014-2016 (46.5%) and 2017-2019 (36.4%). Regression analyses found trial activation year, phase I, phase I/phase II, and phase II (v phase III), sponsor agency of government (v industry), not requiring healthy volunteers, and estimated enrollment of 50-100, 100-200, 200, and >500 (v 0-50) were associated with a lower enrollment success rate (P < .05). However, trials with placebo comparator, ≥5 locations (v 1 location), and a higher number of secondary end points (eg, ≥5 v 0) were associated with a higher enrollment success rate (P < .05). The AUC for prediction of the final logistic regression models for all trials and specific trial groups ranged from 0.69 to 0.76. CONCLUSION This large-scale study supports a lower enrollment success rate over years in cancer clinical trials. Identified factors for enrollment success can be used to develop and improve recruitment strategies for future cancer trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Zhang
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jianrong Zhang
- Centre for Cancer Research & Department of General Practice and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sida Liu
- Department of Statistics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
| | - Herbert Pang
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Thomas E. Stinchcombe
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
- Alliance Statistics and Data Management Center, Duke University, Durham, NC
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Hare MM, Walker CS, Sarver DE, Lim CS, Brown DC, Annett RD. Assessing attitudes towards pediatric research participation across diverse populations: Psychometric properties of a novel tool. Contemp Clin Trials 2023; 133:107321. [PMID: 37652358 PMCID: PMC10591922 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical trials play a crucial role in advancing medical knowledge and improving health outcomes. However, there is a recognized need for greater representation of marginalized groups to ensure that research findings can be generalized and effectively applied to all individuals. While the Pediatric Research Participation Questionnaire (PRPQ) was developed to assist pediatric clinical trials research by identifying benefits and barriers to research participation among children with chronic medical conditions, there is still limited insight into the structure of the PRPQ when administered in diverse samples, including the general pediatric population. Therefore, the current study examined the factor structure of the PRPQ in a general pediatric population to investigate whether rural-urban differences exist in the PRPQ factor structure. METHODS Caregivers (N = 600) of children under age 18 completed the PRPQ in a population-based survey in Mississippi. Sampling was stratified to ensure equal representation in rural (n = 300) and urban areas (n = 300). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to determine the factor structure of the PRPQ. RESULTS A five-factor structure was identified, compromising: social pressure, direct benefit, reasons for participation, mistrust in research/researchers, reasons against participation. While results were similar among urban participants, a three-factor structure emerged for rural participants. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes to the broader understanding of research participation among underrepresented groups. The findings suggest that clinical researchers should consider tailoring recruitment strategies to increase clinical trial participation among children in rural areas. Understanding factors that influence pediatric research participation, particularly among marginalized communities, is crucial for developing effective recruitment and retention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M Hare
- Center for Children and Families, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Courtney S Walker
- Center for Advancement of Youth, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39110, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39110, USA
| | - Dustin E Sarver
- Center for Advancement of Youth, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39110, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39110, USA.
| | - Crystal S Lim
- Department of Health Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Dustin C Brown
- Department of Sociology and Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
| | - Robert D Annett
- Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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Yan M, Abdel-Rahman F, Dawson L, Wong P, Wong RKS, Tsai CJ. Advances and Challenges in Trials of Local Therapy for Patients With Oligometastatic or Oligoprogressive Disease. Semin Radiat Oncol 2023; 33:416-428. [PMID: 37684071 DOI: 10.1016/j.semradonc.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
The paradigm of oligometastatic disease (OMD), characterized by a limited number of metastases potentially amenable to local therapies, presents unique opportunities and challenges in clinical trial design and implementation. Although local ablative therapies, such as stereotactic body radiation therapy, have shown promise in improving outcomes for patients with OMD, there is a lack of large-scale randomized phase III trials supporting their widespread use. This paper outlines the key challenges in trial design and implementation in the oligometastatic setting, including appropriate patient selection, the definition of the oligometastatic state, trial design considerations, endpoint selection, and logistical considerations related to enrollment and follow-up. We suggest potential strategies to address these challenges, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive, patient-centric approach, and the integration of multidisciplinary teams in trial design and implementation. The aim is to encourage the design of well-structured clinical trials, ultimately refining best practices and enhancing patient outcomes in the management of OMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Yan
- Palliative Radiotherapy and Oligometastasis Program, Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fadwa Abdel-Rahman
- Palliative Radiotherapy and Oligometastasis Program, Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Radiation Oncology, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Laura Dawson
- Palliative Radiotherapy and Oligometastasis Program, Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Philip Wong
- Palliative Radiotherapy and Oligometastasis Program, Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rebecca K S Wong
- Palliative Radiotherapy and Oligometastasis Program, Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - C Jillian Tsai
- Palliative Radiotherapy and Oligometastasis Program, Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada..
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Franzoi MA, Gillanders E, Vaz-Luis I. Unlocking digitally enabled research in oncology: the time is now. ESMO Open 2023; 8:101633. [PMID: 37660408 PMCID: PMC10482746 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2023.101633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M A Franzoi
- Cancer Survivorship Group, Inserm Unit 981, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif
| | - E Gillanders
- Cancer Survivorship Group, Inserm Unit 981, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif
| | - I Vaz-Luis
- Cancer Survivorship Group, Inserm Unit 981, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif; Department for the Organization of Patient Pathways, DIOPP, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.
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Corrigan KL, Rooney MK, Kouzy R, Manzar G, Thomas CR, Ludmir EB. Selection and Prejudice: Addressing Clinical Trial Disparities With a Review of Current Shortcomings and Future Directions. Semin Radiat Oncol 2023; 33:367-373. [PMID: 37684066 DOI: 10.1016/j.semradonc.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence has demonstrated significant, persistent, and widespread disparities in cancer clinical trial enrollment across myriad disease sites and target populations. Although mechanisms underlying such disparities are complex and multifactorial, clinical trial eligibility criteria may serve as a key structural barrier to equitable and diverse trial enrollment. In this review, we provide an overview of the data describing historical and current disparities in cancer clinical trial enrollment and subsequently describe several patient-, institution-, and trial-related factors which appear to be key drivers of enrollment inequity, with specific discussion regarding the impact of eligibility criteria. We further describe the landscape of ongoing professional efforts aimed at eliminating clinical trial disparities through various medical, professional, and advocacy groups. The review concludes with a practical discussion of how modernization of eligibility criteria in clinical trials may decrease or eliminate trial disparities, including specific actionable recommendations aimed at improving the quality of future eligibility criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey L Corrigan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Michael K Rooney
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Ramez Kouzy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Gohar Manzar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Charles R Thomas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Center, Lebanon, NH
| | - Ethan B Ludmir
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.; Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX..
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Perni S, Jimenez R, Jagsi R. Optimizing Informed Consent in Cancer Clinical Trials. Semin Radiat Oncol 2023; 33:349-357. [PMID: 37684064 DOI: 10.1016/j.semradonc.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
The concept of informed consent has evolved considerably over the course of the 20th century, leading to its establishment as a foundational ethical principle for the conduct of biomedical research in the United States. Even though it is now a highly regulated part of cancer research, the process of obtaining informed consent is often impeded by systemic, clinician, and patient factors that require both small- and large-scale intervention. New challenges and considerations continue to emerge due to innovations in clinical trial design, increases in utilization of genomic sequencing, and advances in genomic editing and artificial intelligence. We present a review of the history, policy, pragmatic challenges, and evolving role of the central ethical tenet of informed consent in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subha Perni
- Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Rachel Jimenez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Reshma Jagsi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
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Uehara Y, Koyama T, Katsuya Y, Sato J, Sudo K, Kondo S, Yoshida T, Shoji H, Shimoi T, Yonemori K, Yamamoto N. Travel Time and Distance and Participation in Precision Oncology Trials at the National Cancer Center Hospital. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2333188. [PMID: 37713200 PMCID: PMC10504617 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.33188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Genotype-matched trials, which are becoming increasingly important in the precision oncology era, require referrals from institutions providing comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) testing to those conducting these trials, and the travel burden for trial participation is significant. However, it remains unknown whether travel time or distance are associated with genotype-matched trial participation. Objective To assess whether travel time or distance are associated with disparities in genotype-matched trial participation following CGP testing. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study from June 2020 to June 2022 included patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors referred to the National Cancer Center Hospital for participation in genotype-matched trials following CGP testing and discussion by molecular tumor boards. Data were analyzed from June to October 2022. Exposures Travel time and distance. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary and secondary outcomes were enrollment in genotype-matched trials and all-cancer clinical trials, respectively. Results Of 1127 patients (mean [range] age, 62 [16-85] years; 584 women [52%]; all residents of Japan), 127 (11%) and 241 (21%) were enrolled in genotype-matched trials and all-cancer clinical trials, respectively. The overall median (IQR) travel distance and time were 38 (21-107) km and 55 (35-110) minutes, respectively. On multivariable regression with 23 covariates, travel distance (≥100 km vs <100 km) was not associated with the likelihood of genotype-matched trial participation (26 of 310 patients [8%] vs 101 of 807 patients [12%]; odds ratio [OR], 0.64; 95% CI, 0.40-1.02), whereas in patients with travel time of 120 minutes or more, the likelihood of genotype-matched trial participation was significantly lower than those with travel time less than 120 minutes (19 of 276 patients [7%] vs 108 of 851 patients [13%]; OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.29-0.84). The likelihood of genotype-matched trial participation decreased as travel time increased from less than 40 (38 of 283 patients [13%]) to 40 to 120 (70 of 568 patients [12%]) and 120 or more (19 of 276 patients [7%]) minutes (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.48-1.17; OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.22-0.74, respectively). Neither travel time nor distance were associated with the likelihood of all-cancer clinical trial participation. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of patients undergoing CGP testing, an increased travel time was associated with a decreased likelihood of genotype-matched trial participation. This warrants further research on interventions, such as decentralization of clinical trials to mitigate travel burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Uehara
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Thoracic Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Precision Cancer Medicine, Center for Innovative Cancer Treatment, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takafumi Koyama
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Katsuya
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Sato
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuki Sudo
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Kondo
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yoshida
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Shoji
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsunori Shimoi
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kan Yonemori
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noboru Yamamoto
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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Cheng JC, Buduhan G, Venkataraman S, Tan L, Sasaki D, Bashir B, Ahmed N, Kidane B, Sivananthan G, Koul R, Leylek A, Butler J, McCurdy B, Wong R, Kim JO. Endobronchially Implanted Real-Time Electromagnetic Transponder Beacon-Guided, Respiratory-Gated SABR for Moving Lung Tumors: A Prospective Phase 1/2 Cohort Study. Adv Radiat Oncol 2023; 8:101243. [PMID: 37408673 PMCID: PMC10318214 DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2023.101243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Endobronchial electromagnetic transponder beacons (EMT) provide real-time, precise positional data of moving lung tumors. We report results of a phase 1/2, prospective, single-arm cohort study evaluating the treatment planning effects of EMT-guided SABR for moving lung tumors. Methods and Materials Eligible patients were adults, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0 to 2, with T1-T2N0 non-small cell lung cancer or pulmonary metastasis ≤4 cm with motion amplitude ≥5 mm. Three EMTs were endobronchially implanted using navigational bronchoscopy. Four-dimensional free-breathing computed tomography simulation scans were obtained, and end-exhalation phases were used to define the gating window internal target volume. A 3-mm expansion of gating window internal target volume defined the planning target volume (PTV). EMT-guided, respiratory-gated (RG) SABR was delivered (54 Gy/3 fractions or 48 Gy/4 fractions) using volumetric modulated arc therapy. For each RG-SABR plan, a 10-phase image-guided SABR plan was generated for dosimetric comparison. PTV/organ-at-risk (OAR) metrics were tabulated and analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank pair test. Treatment outcomes were evaluated using RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours; version 1.1). Results Of 41 patients screened, 17 were enrolled and 2 withdrew from the study. Median age was 73 years, with 7 women. Sixty percent had T1/T2 non-small cell lung cancer and 40% had M1 disease. Median tumor diameter was 1.9 cm with 73% of targets located peripherally. Mean respiratory tumor motion was 1.25 cm (range, 0.53-4.04 cm). Thirteen tumors were treated with EMT-guided SABR and 47% of patients received 48 Gy in 4 fractions while 53% received 54 Gy in 3 fractions. RG-SABR yielded an average PTV reduction of 46.9% (P < .005). Lung V5, V10, V20, and mean lung dose had mean relative reductions of 11.3%, 20.3%, 31.1%, and 20.3%, respectively (P < .005). Dose to OARs was significantly reduced (P < .05) except for spinal cord. At 6 months, mean radiographic tumor volume reduction was 53.5% (P < .005). Conclusions EMT-guided RG-SABR significantly reduced PTVs of moving lung tumors compared with image-guided SABR. EMT-guided RG-SABR should be considered for tumors with large respiratory motion amplitudes or those located in close proximity to OARs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jui Chih Cheng
- Radiation Oncology, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Gordon Buduhan
- Thoracic Surgery, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - Lawrence Tan
- Thoracic Surgery, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - David Sasaki
- Medical Physics, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Bashir Bashir
- Radiation Oncology, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Naseer Ahmed
- Radiation Oncology, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Biniam Kidane
- Thoracic Surgery, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Gokulan Sivananthan
- Radiation Oncology, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Rashmi Koul
- Radiation Oncology, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Ahmet Leylek
- Radiation Oncology, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - James Butler
- Radiation Oncology, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Boyd McCurdy
- Medical Physics, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Ralph Wong
- Medical Oncology, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Julian O. Kim
- Radiation Oncology, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Morton M, Yao M, Chalif J, Lampert EJ, Chau D, Rose PG, Debernardo R, Michener CM, Vargas R, Chambers LM. Association of Clinical Trial Participation With Improved Overall Survival for Recurrent, Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer. Obstet Gynecol 2023; 142:459-466. [PMID: 37535957 DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether clinical trial participation is associated with overall survival in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. METHODS An IRB-approved, retrospective, single-institution cohort study was performed in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2017. Platinum resistance was defined as progression within 6 months after completion of platinum chemotherapy. Patients were divided into two cohorts: 1) clinical trial participants for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer or 2) standard of care. The association of trial participation with overall survival from the date of platinum resistance was assessed with univariate and multivariable models. RESULTS Of 305 eligible patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, 46 (15.1%) were clinical trial participants. There were no significant differences in age (61.2 years vs 63.3 years, P =.21), body mass index (27.5 vs 27.6, P =.90), race ( P =.61), medical comorbidities ( P >.05), or performance status ( P =.07) for clinical trial participants compared with those receiving standard of care. The majority underwent primary cytoreduction (76.1% vs 69.1%, P =.34) with no differences in residual disease ( P =.43) for clinical trial participants compared with those receiving standard of care. There was no difference in poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor (21.7% vs 15.1%, P =.26) or bevacizumab (22.2% vs 32.1%, P =.31) use for clinical trial participants compared with those receiving standard of care. On multivariable analysis controlling for comorbidities, stage, and germline mutational status, clinical trial participation was associated with significantly improved overall survival from the date of platinum resistance compared with standard of care (13.8 months vs 10.5 months, adjusted hazard ratio 1.46, 95% CI 1.04-2.05, P =.028). CONCLUSIONS In this retrospective cohort of patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, clinical trial participation was associated with improved overall survival compared with standard of care therapies. Availability and participation in clinical trials should be prioritized in patients with recurrent, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Morton
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health Institute, and the Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, and the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio
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Duenas JAC, Sanchez P N, Bonilla CE. Comparison of clinical outcomes among cancer patients treated in and out of clinical trials. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:786. [PMID: 37612602 PMCID: PMC10463452 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11305-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unknown if participation in a cancer clinical trial confers clinical benefits to patients. There is not enough scientific evidence in this regard and the available publications are scarce and provide ambiguous and limited information. OBJECTIVE Compare overall and progression-free survival and response to treatment among those who met the eligibility criteria and accepted to participate and those who refused to participate in cancer clinical trials. METHODS An observational cross-sectional study with an analytical component was carried out, which included patients diagnosed with cancer who participated in phase III clinical trials and patients who, being eligible, refused to participate. The patients were cared for at the National Institute of Cancerology in Colombia between 2019 and 2022. Analysis of differences in proportions and means of sociodemographic and clinical variables was included; overall survival and progression-free survival time were described and the survival curves between groups were compared. Variables related to survival were determined using a Cox regression model and Hazard Ratios were calculated. RESULTS 62 women and 50 men were included. In the women group, we found a statistical association between clinical trial participation and non-serious events adverse and progression. The stable disease and complete response were higher in participants than in refusers. The median progression-free survival for refusers was 7,4 m meantime for participants the median was not reached and 74,1% remained without progression at 28 months. In the men group, we also found a statistical association between clinical trial participation and the occurrence of non-serious events adverse meanwhile there were no significant differences in overall response, progression, and death, even though the proportion of progression was minor in participants 20% vs. refusers 26% respectively. The median survival was not reached for any group, even though in the participants group 55,2% were still alive at month 20 and in the refusers group still alive at 56,8% at month 45. Covariables included for the multivariate Cox regression only age had a statistical association with overall survival in the women's group and the men group any covariables reached statistical association. CONCLUSION It can be considered that participation in clinical trials could give participants a better response to treatment, without increasing the probability of death and with the probability of decreasing the progression of the disease. Participation in trials could improve the outcomes of clinical response rates, no change in overall survival, and progression-free.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose A Carreno Duenas
- Instituto Nacional de Cancerología - Colombia, Calle 1 # 9-85, Bogota, 110111, Colombia.
| | - Natalia Sanchez P
- Centro de tratamiento e investigación sobre cáncer (CTIC), Calle 168 # 14 -49, Bogota, 110131, Colombia
| | - Carlos E Bonilla
- Centro de tratamiento e investigación sobre cáncer (CTIC), Calle 168 # 14 -49, Bogota, 110131, Colombia
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Cao JA, Patel SB, Wong CW, Garcia D, Munoz J, Cone C, Zamora D, Reagan M, Nguyen TV, Pearce W, Fish RH, Brown DM, Chaudhary V, Wykoff CC, Fan KC. Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors in Prospective Retina-Focused Clinical Trial Screening and Enrollment. J Pers Med 2023; 13:880. [PMID: 37373869 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13060880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Historically marginalized populations are disproportionately affected by many diseases that commonly affect the retina, yet they have been traditionally underrepresented in prospective clinical trials. This study explores whether this disparity affects the clinical trial enrollment process in the retina field and aims to inform future trial recruitment and enrollment. Age, gender, race, ethnicity, preferred language, insurance status, social security number (SSN) status, and median household income (estimated using street address and zip code) for patients referred to at least one prospective, retina-focused clinical trial at a large, urban, retina-based practice were retrospectively extracted using electronic medical records. Data were collected for the 12-month period from 1 January 2022, through 31 December 2022. Recruitment status was categorized as Enrolled, Declined, Communication (defined as patients who were not contacted, were contacted with no response, were waiting for a follow-up, or were scheduled for screening following a clinical trial referral.), and Did Not Qualify (DNQ). Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to determine significant relationships between the Enrolled and Declined groups. Among the 1477 patients, the mean age was 68.5 years old, 647 (43.9%) were male, 900 (61.7%) were White, 139 (9.5%) were Black, and 275 (18.7%) were Hispanic. The distribution of recruitment status was: 635 (43.0%) Enrolled, 232 (15.7%) Declined, 290 (19.6%) Communication, and 320 (21.7%) DNQ. In comparing socioeconomic factors between the Enrolled and Declined groups, significant odds ratios were observed for age (p < 0.02, odds ratio (OR) = 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.97, 1.00]), and between patients who preferred English versus Spanish (p = 0.004, OR = 0.35, 95% CI [0.17, 0.72]. Significant differences between the Enrolled and Declined groups were also observed for age (p < 0.05), ethnicity (p = 0.01), preferred language (p < 0.05), insurance status (p = 0.001), and SSN status (p < 0.001). These factors may contribute to patient participation in retina-focused clinical trials. An awareness of these demographic and socioeconomic disparities may be valuable to consider when attempting to make clinical trial enrollment an equitable process for all patients, and strategies may be useful to help address these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sagar B Patel
- Retina Consultants of Texas, Houston, TX 77401, USA
- Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital & Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Calvin W Wong
- McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - David Garcia
- Retina Consultants of Texas, Houston, TX 77401, USA
| | - Jose Munoz
- Retina Consultants of Texas, Houston, TX 77401, USA
| | | | | | - Mary Reagan
- Retina Consultants of Texas, Houston, TX 77401, USA
| | - Tieu V Nguyen
- Retina Consultants of Texas, Houston, TX 77401, USA
- Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital & Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Will Pearce
- Retina Consultants of Texas, Houston, TX 77401, USA
- Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital & Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Richard H Fish
- Retina Consultants of Texas, Houston, TX 77401, USA
- Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital & Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - David M Brown
- Retina Consultants of Texas, Houston, TX 77401, USA
- Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital & Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Varun Chaudhary
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Charles C Wykoff
- Retina Consultants of Texas, Houston, TX 77401, USA
- Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital & Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kenneth C Fan
- Retina Consultants of Texas, Houston, TX 77401, USA
- Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital & Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Abstract
PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY Since its launch, ChatGPT has taken the internet by storm and has the potential to be used broadly in the health care system, particularly in a setting such as medical oncology. ChatGPT is well suited to review and extract key content from records of patients with cancer, interpret next-generation sequencing reports, and offer a list of potential clinical trial options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipesh Uprety
- Department of Medical Oncology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Dongxiao Zhu
- Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Howard Jack West
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California, USA
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Chen DW, Worden FP, Haymart MR. Access Denied: Disparities in Thyroid Cancer Clinical Trials. J Endocr Soc 2023; 7:bvad064. [PMID: 37256092 PMCID: PMC10225976 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvad064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
For thyroid cancer clinical trials, the inclusion of participants from diverse patient populations is uniquely important given existing racial/ethnic disparities in thyroid cancer care. Since 2011, a paradigm shift has occurred in the treatment of advanced thyroid cancer with the approval of multiple systemic therapies by the US Food and Drug Administration based on their use in the clinical trials setting. Although these clinical trials recruited patients from up to 164 sites in 25 countries, the inclusion of racial/ethnic minority patients remained low. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of barriers to accessing cancer clinical trials, framed in the context of why patients with thyroid cancer may be uniquely vulnerable. Multilevel interventions and increased funding for thyroid cancer research are necessary to increase access to and recruitment of under-represented patient populations into thyroid cancer clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debbie W Chen
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, USA
| | - Francis P Worden
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, USA
| | - Megan R Haymart
- Correspondence: Megan R. Haymart, MD, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Rd, Bldg 16, Rm 408E, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, USA.
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Roy E, Chino F, King B, Madu C, Mattes M, Morrell R, Pollard-Larkin J, Siker M, Takita C, Ludwig M. Increasing Diversity of Patients in Radiation Oncology Clinical Trials. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 116:103-114. [PMID: 36526234 PMCID: PMC10414211 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2022.11.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Radiation oncology clinical trials lack full representation of the ethnic and racial diversity present in the general United States and in the cancer patient population. There are low rates of both recruitment and enrollment of individuals from underrepresented ethnic and racial backgrounds, especially Black and Hispanic patients, people with disabilities, and patients from underrepresented sexual and gender groups. Even if approached for enrollment, barriers such as mistrust in medical research stemming from historical abuse and contemporary biased systems, low socioeconomic status, and lack of awareness prohibit historically marginalized populations from participating in clinical trials. In this review, we reflect on these specific barriers and detail approaches to increase diversity of the patient population in radiation oncology clinical trials to better reflect the communities we serve. We hope that implementation of these approaches will increase the diversity of clinical trials patient populations in not only radiation oncology but also other medical specialties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Roy
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Fumiko Chino
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Benjamin King
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Chika Madu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, New York
| | - Malcolm Mattes
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Rosalyn Morrell
- Advanced Radiation Center of Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, California
| | | | - Malika Siker
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Christiane Takita
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Miami University School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Michelle Ludwig
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
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Jacobsen SM, Moore T, Douglas A, Lester D, Johnson AL, Vassar M. Discontinuation and nonpublication analysis of chronic pain randomized controlled trials. Pain Rep 2023; 8:e1069. [PMID: 37032814 PMCID: PMC10079346 DOI: 10.1097/pr9.0000000000001069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The primary objective of this cross-sectional analysis is to evaluate rates of discontinuation and nonpublication of Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of therapeutic interventions to treat chronic pain. Methods Using ClinicalTrials.gov, a sample was obtained which included clinical trials pertaining to chronic pain. Trials were analyzed for publication status and completion status of each trial. If information was unavailable on the trial registry database, or could not be allocated through a systematic search, the corresponding trialist was contacted and data points were gathered. Results In our final analysis of the 408 RCTs, we found that 281 (68.9%) were published in a peer-reviewed journal and 127 (31.1%) were unpublished trials. Of 112 discontinued trials, 59 (52.7%) reached publication. In addition, 221 of 296 completed trials (74.7%) were published, and 75 (25.3%) remained unpublished after trial completion. The most common listed reason for trial discontinuation was administrative recommendations (41 of 71 trials [57.7%]), while not receiving an email reply to our standardized email from the corresponding trialist was the most common result for trial nonpublication (49 of 88 trials [55.7%]). Clinical trials funded by nonindustry sponsors were more likely to reach publication than industry-funded clinical trials (unadjusted odds ratio 1.86 [95% CI, 1.18-2.95]; adjusted odds ratio 3.01 [95% CI, 1.76-5.14]). Conclusion The rate of discontinuation of RCTs involving patients with chronic pain is concerning. Chronic pain affects many patients; thus, the importance of having quality data from clinical trials cannot be overstated. Our study indicates that chronic pain RCTs are frequently discontinued and their findings often go unpublished - all of which could provide crucial information to providers and patients regarding the treatment of chronic pain. We offer suggestions to enhance chronic pain RCT completion, thereby reducing the waste of resources in chronic pain research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel M. Jacobsen
- Corresponding author. Address: Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 1111 W 17th St, Tulsa, OK 74107. E-mail address: (S.M. Jacobsen)
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Kumpf VJ, Neumann ML, Kakani SR. Advocating for a patient- and family centered care approach to management of short bowel syndrome. Nutr Clin Pract 2023; 38 Suppl 1:S35-S45. [PMID: 37115033 DOI: 10.1002/ncp.10966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Patient- and family centered care (PFCC) is a model of providing healthcare that incorporates the preferences, needs, and values of the patient and their family and is built on a solid partnership between the healthcare team and patient/family. This partnership is critical in short bowel syndrome (SBS) management since the condition is rare, chronic, involves a heterogenous population, and calls for a personalized approach to care. Institutions can facilitate the practice of PFCC by supporting a teamwork approach to care, which, in the case of SBS, ideally involves a comprehensive intestinal rehabilitation program consisting of qualified healthcare practitioners who are supported with the necessary resources and budget. Clinicians can engage in a range of processes to center patients and families in the management of SBS, including fostering whole-person care, building partnerships with patients and families, cultivating communication, and providing information effectively. Empowering patients to self-manage important aspects of their condition is an important component of PFCC and can enhance coping to chronic disease. Therapy nonadherence represents a breakdown in the PFCC approach to care, especially when nonadherence is sustained, and the healthcare provider is intentionally misled. An individualized approach to care that incorporates patient/family priorities should ultimately enhance therapy adherence. Lastly, patients/families should play a central role in determining meaningful outcomes as it relates to PFCC and shaping the research that affects them. This review highlights needs and priorities of patients with SBS and their families and suggests ways to address gaps in existing care to improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa J Kumpf
- Department of Pharmacy, Clinical Programs, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Center for Human Nutrition, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Marie L Neumann
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska, Omaha, USA
- Department of Communication Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
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Leader AE, Melillo RJ, Greene Q, Blanding-Godbolt J, Shimada A, Eischen CM, Aplin AE. Engaging community members in cancer research: an assessment of an NCI-designated cancer center. Cancer Causes Control 2023; 34:307-319. [PMID: 36598655 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-022-01666-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite the importance of engaging community members in research, multiple barriers exist. We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation to understand the opportunities and challenges of engaging community members in basic, clinical, translational, and population science research. METHODS We designed a survey and an interview guide based on the constructs of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Surveys were distributed electronically to all cancer center investigators and interviews were conducted virtually with a select group of basic, clinical, and population science investigators. Survey data (n = 77) were analyzed across all respondents using frequency counts and mean scores; bivariate analyses examined differences in responses by research program affiliation, gender, race, and faculty rank. Interviews (n = 16) were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a reflective thematic approach. RESULTS There was strong agreement among investigators that "Community engagement in research will help the SKCC address cancer disparities in the catchment area" (M 4.2, SD 0.9) and less agreement with items such as "I know how to find and connect with community members who I can engage in my research" (M 2.5, SD 1.3). Investigators mentioned challenges in communicating complex science to a lay audience but were open to training and workshops to acquire skills needed to integrate community members into their research. CONCLUSION Cancer centers should develop and promote training and collaborative opportunities for investigators and community members. Overcoming challenges will lead to more patient- and community-centered cancer research in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Leader
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. .,Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. .,Thomas Jefferson University, 833 Chestnut Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
| | - Rebecca J Melillo
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Ayako Shimada
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christine M Eischen
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrew E Aplin
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Shinder BM, Kim S, Srivastava A, Patel HV, Jang TL, Mayer TM, Saraiya B, Ghodoussipour SB, Singer EA. Factors associated with clinical trial participation for patients with renal cell carcinoma. Urol Oncol 2023; 41:208.e1-208.e8. [PMID: 36868881 PMCID: PMC10106382 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2023.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recruitment of a diverse and representative study population is critical to the external validity of oncology clinical trials. The primary objective of this study was to characterize the factors associated with clinical trial participation for patients with renal cell carcinoma and the secondary objective was to examine differences in survival outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used a matched case-control design by querying the National Cancer Database for patients with renal cell carcinoma who were coded as having enrolled in a clinical trial. Trial patients were matched in a 1:5 ratio to the control cohort based on clinical stage and then sociodemographic variables were compared between the 2 groups. Multivariable conditional logistic regression models evaluated factors associated with clinical trial participation. The trial patient cohort was then matched again in a 1:10 ratio based on age, clinical stage, and comorbidities. Log-rank test was used to compare overall survival (OS) between these groups. RESULTS From 2004 to 2014, 681 patients enrolled in clinical trials were identified. Clinical trial patients were significantly younger and had a lower Charlson-Deyo comorbidity score. On multivariate analysis, male patients and white patients were more likely to participate compared to their Black counterparts. Having Medicaid or Medicare negatively associated with trial participation. Median OS was greater among clinical trial participants. CONCLUSION Patient sociodemographic factors remain significantly associated with clinical trial participation and trial participants experienced superior OS to their matched counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Shinder
- Section of Urologic Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Sinae Kim
- Section of Biometrics, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Arnav Srivastava
- Section of Urologic Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Hiren V Patel
- Section of Urologic Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Thomas L Jang
- Section of Urologic Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Tina M Mayer
- Division of Medical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Biren Saraiya
- Division of Medical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Saum B Ghodoussipour
- Section of Urologic Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Eric A Singer
- Section of Urologic Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ; Division of Urologic Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH.
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Todd AL, Nutbeam D. More and better clinical trials in health care: focusing on people, not just systems and processes. Med J Aust 2023; 218:209-211. [PMID: 36808745 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
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Dassum SR, Ferguson R, Woods P, Flynn M, Visnaw K, Holmberg E, Schiller S, Shannon C, Brophy M, Monach P, Leatherman S, Branch-Elliman W. Patient- reported reasons for non-participation in a COVID-19 therapeutics clinical trial: Findings from a multi-center investigation. Contemp Clin Trials 2023; 126:107082. [PMID: 36632925 PMCID: PMC9827740 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early in the pandemic, there were no evidence-based treatments for SARS-CoV-2, creating an urgent need to identify effective therapeutics. However, public participation in medical research is low; trial enrollment in the US is typically 10-20%. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify common themes underpinning patient reasons to decline participation and evaluate the impact of specific contextual factors. METHODS This sub-study was conducted in five VISN-1 Clinical Trials Network participating facilities from 4/10/2020-2/3/2021. The trial evaluated the addition of the IL-6-inhibitor, Sarilumab, to the current standard of care for inpatients with moderate-to-severe SARS-CoV-2. Consent procedures varied by site and included fully in-person and fully remote processes. Reasons for declining enrollment were collected among eligible patients who declined to participate but agreed to answer a short follow-up question. Qualitative data were analyzed using directed content analysis. Enrollment rates were assessed using simple, descriptive statistics. RESULTS N = 417 COVID-19 positive inpatients were screened and 53/162 eligible patients enrolled. Enrollment varied across study sites and by study period. Prior to identification of effective treatment, the enrollment rate was 10/11 (91%) versus 43/144 (30%) during the later period of the study. N = 85/102 patients who did not enroll answered the follow-up question. The most commonly reported responses were: concerns about the study drug and participation in clinical research in general, comorbidity concerns, competing priorities, external factors, and external advice and influence from family members and clinicians. CONCLUSIONS Identifying reasons behind declining to enroll may help investigators develop strategies to increase research participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Reyes Dassum
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Infectious Disease, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Ryan Ferguson
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Cooperative Studies Program, Boston, MA, United States; Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America; Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Patricia Woods
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Cooperative Studies Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Maura Flynn
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Cooperative Studies Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Karen Visnaw
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Cooperative Studies Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Erika Holmberg
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Cooperative Studies Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sara Schiller
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Cooperative Studies Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Colleen Shannon
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Cooperative Studies Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mary Brophy
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Cooperative Studies Program, Boston, MA, United States; Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Paul Monach
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Cooperative Studies Program, Boston, MA, United States; VA Boston Healthcare System, Department of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Sarah Leatherman
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Cooperative Studies Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Westyn Branch-Elliman
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Department of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States; VA Boston Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
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Varma T, Jones CP, Oladele C, Miller J. Diversity in clinical research: public health and social justice imperatives. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2023; 49:200-203. [PMID: 35428737 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2021-108068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
It is well established that demographic representation in clinical research is important for understanding the safety and effectiveness of novel therapeutics and vaccines in diverse patient populations. In recent years, the National Institutes of Health and Food and Drug Administration have issued guidelines and recommendations for the inclusion of women, older adults, and racial and ethnic minorities in research. However, these guidelines fail to provide an adequate explanation of why racial and ethnic representation in clinical research is important. This article aims to both provide the missing arguments for why adequate representation of racial and ethnic minorities in clinical research is essential and to articulate a number of recommendations for improving diversity going forward.Appropriate racial and ethnic representation and fair inclusion help (1) increase the generalisability of clinical trial results, (2) equitably distribute any benefits of clinical research and (3) enable trust in the research enterprise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanvee Varma
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Camara P Jones
- Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Harvard University Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carol Oladele
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jennifer Miller
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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