Despite recent estimates showing a 7.1% enrollment rate in cancer treatment trials, surpassing historical figures of less than 5%, the challenges of recruiting and retaining patients in oncology clinical trials persist. Additionally, the efficiency of these trials remains a significant hurdle, as evidenced by their low productivity rates.
Although various techniques have been employed, the critical shift towards prioritizing what truly matters to patients has not been adequately addressed in oncology research. Why are Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) still sidelined in an era that emphasizes patient-centric clinical research? PRO instruments, which focus on symptoms, feelings, and quality of life, capture aspects of patients’ daily lives that are most important to them.
This article explores the reasons behind the inefficiencies and recruitment difficulties in oncology clinical trials. It highlights the benefits of incorporating PRO measures into oncology research to enhance patient engagement and trial efficiency. Furthermore, it examines how decentralization techniques can make PRO measurements more user-friendly and respectful of patient preferences, ultimately leading to more successful clinical trials.
Read the article in the Spring 2025 issue of International Clinical Trials (ICT) 👇
