Bringing Inclusivity in Cancer Research: How Technology Is Modernizing Clinical Trials

Cancer clinical trials are crucial for developing lifesaving treatments, but historically low enrollment rates and a lack of diversity among participants have hampered progress. Only 3–5% of adult cancer patients in the United States and <5% globally participate in clinical trials, largely because of stringent eligibility criteria and trial-site inaccessibility (1). Technological advancements such as modern software platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing patient recruitment and retention, particularly for underrepresented communities. Modern technologies can streamline clinical-trial processes, starting at enrollment and assisting with patient engagement and retention, remote patient monitoring, and reporting.

Challenges and Solutions in Cancer Clinical Trials: Clinical investigators must overcome a number of obstacles to run successful clinical trials. Studies show that 25% of cancer trials fail to meet their enrollment targets, for the reasons mentioned above (2). Patient hesitancy from mistrust, fear of side effects, and lack of understanding can complicate enrollment further and discourage participation (3). And once patients are enrolled, cancer treatments often require intricate combinations of therapies that clinicians must monitor meticulously and adjust for patients.

To solve such issues, clinical investigators can streamline enrollment processes and offer flexible scheduling options to minimize travel burdens. Rapid configuration enables researchers to adapt their platforms to specific trials quickly, ensuring that they align with patient needs and research objectives.

Platforms such as my company’s clinical-trial management software streamline the enrollment process with automated screening and consent forms, making it easier for patients from diverse backgrounds to join trials (4). The software manages multiple communication channels in more than 100 languages, providing remote-monitoring capabilities while improving engagement and inclusivity for geographically dispersed populations.

Many underrepresented communities have unique cultural considerations. Unified platforms that offer materials and interfaces in multiple languages and culturally adapted formats can help foster trust and inclusivity. Multilingual patient-engagement portals that support multichannel communication by short message service (SMS), email, audio calling, and video calling can maximize patient retention and adherence during clinical trials. Patients can complete informed-consent forms, report outcomes, access study information, and engage with study teams as needed.

Securely implemented patient-centric software can help patients complete study requirements from home by enabling access to a remote portal. Such capabilities help to foster transparency and trust in the research processes.

Interactive modules can explain complex medical concepts to patients, increasing understanding of a trial’s process, including its potential risks and benefits. Such a multifaceted approach empowers patients from diverse backgrounds to make informed decisions about participating in potentially lifesaving cancer trials. Telemedicine enables patients to participate in trials remotely, removing travel barriers and increasing accessibility for people in underserved areas.

New technologies can reduce the cost of developing cancer treatments. Cloud-based research platforms can streamline clinical trials while automation can reduce expenses. My company collaborated with cell and gene therapy (CGT) developer ImmunoACT in the creation of NexCAR19 (talicabtagene autoleucel), the world’s most affordable chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for leukemia and lymphoma. It has received approval in India and costs about 90% less than similar treatments.

Technological advancements are playing transformative roles in cancer clinical trials. Unified platforms with automated features are streamlining enrollment and communication while breaking geographical barriers and serving diverse populations. This fosters inclusivity in research, enabling underrepresented communities to participate and benefit from potentially lifesaving treatments.

References

1 Unger JM, et al. The Role of Clinical Trial Participation in Cancer Research: Barriers, Evidence, and Strategies. Am. Soc. Clin. Oncol. Educ. Book 36, 2019: 185–198; https://doi.org/10.1200/EDBK_156686.

2 Fogel DB. Factors Associated with Clinical Trials That Fail and Opportunities for Improving the Likelihood of Success: A Review. Contemp. Clin. Trials Commun. 11, 2018: 156–164; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2018.08.001.

3 Dias AL, et al. Patient Perceptions Concerning Clinical Trials in Oncology Patients. Contemp. Clin. Trials Commun. 4, 2016: 179–185; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5935901.

4 Centralize, Manage, and Execute Your Clinical Research Faster. Jeeva Clinical Trials: Manassas, VA, 2024; https://jeevatrials.com/human-centric-software-and-cro-solutions.

Harsha K. Rajasimha, PhD, is founder and CEO of Jeeva Clinical Trials and serves as chair for the annual Indo-US bridging RARE Summit; [email protected]; https://jeevatrials.com.