Decentralised tech is reshaping cancer research by enhancing patient engagement in drug trials. Tools like wearables and online portals increase enrollment rates by simplifying participation, reducing travel burdens, and fostering diversity. This accelerates the development of innovative cancer therapies.
In a significant step towards advancing cancer research and patient care, decentralised technologies have emerged as a game-changer in enhancing patient participation in cancer drug trials. A study conducted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS/CAN) has revealed compelling evidence that decentralised approaches significantly enhance patient participation in cancer drug trials, heralding a new era of more efficient and patient-centric research, reports Fierce Biotech.
The ACS/CAN researchers examined the impact of “decentralisation tools,” such as wearable and self-report systems, online portals, and other advanced solutions, on patient involvement in drug trials. The study’s key finding revealed that decentralised technologies significantly bolster participant enrolment rates. According to the article, an overwhelming majority of the 1,183 patients surveyed in the ACS/CAN study expressed their increased willingness to participate in trials that leverage decentralised tools. The capability of effectively reducing the time and travel burdens associated with trial participation has been marked as the leading reason behind the fast adoption of decentralised technologies.
The article highlighted the statement of lead author Devon Adams, senior policy analyst for emerging science at ACS/CAN, who emphasised that decentralised or hybrid clinical trials are more likely to achieve enrolment targets compared to traditional on-site studies due to their increased convenience and accessibility.
The article offered the logistical and financial burdens of travelling to trial sites as one of the most significant challenges faced by patients in drug trials. Participants in the study cited factors such as the cost of transportation, lost wages due to time off work, finding childcare, and covering lodging and food costs as the leading obstacles to on-site trials.
The survey revealed that decentralised tools can help address these issues effectively. Remote and virtual trials let patients take part in drug trials from home, cutting down on travel and hospital visits. Moreover, by making participation more accessible and patient-centric, decentralised trial technologies are promised to promote diversity in clinical trials. This inclusivity can lead to more representative and effective outcomes in cancer research.
Researchers urge CROs to leverage high-end DCT platforms, such as ObvioHealth, while conducting remote clinical trials. Such DCT platforms are designed with high-end capabilities that allow seamless integration with wearables and sensors. By including convenient in-app messaging tools, these solutions help patients contact doctors in real-time and flag symptoms that they might otherwise consider insignificant. The result is clinical trials that provide strong therapeutic evidence leading to efficient drug research.
Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, and conventional drug trials have encountered numerous challenges in recruiting and retaining participants. However, with the integration of decentralized technologies, the paradigm is shifting. Remote trials are fostering greater patient engagement and improving the potential for groundbreaking discoveries. The article underscores the value of embracing decentralised technologies to revolutionise cancer research and bring novel therapies to the market faster and more efficiently.