New Zealanders have limited access to breast cancer clinical trials. BCAC’s Libby Burgess was interested to hear how those in other Asia Pacific (APAC) countries fare. Here’s her report on this session at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Singapore.
It is well known that clinical trials not only advance treatment strategies but provide early access to successful new treatments, saving lives and providing innovation and economic benefits for countries that encourage participation. The APAC region represents 50% of global cancer and 60% of cancer deaths. Clinical trial access is low in many APAC countries, although China, Singapore, Japan and Australia do better than most. Trials have often not reflected the diversity within populations or the ethnicities present in APAC countries. Greater inclusion is needed for older adults, patients with less mobility and other health conditions and those living rurally. Simplified trial designs with less frequent monitoring would make it easier for more patients to participate.
Patient advocacy and greater awareness of the need for stronger data that applies more broadly are driving efforts to increase diversity. Patient-centric trial design can be enabled through co-design workshops involving researchers and patients to allow input on eligibility criteria, visit schedules and choice of what will be measured in the trial. Decentralised trials could include home visits, telemedicine check-ins and remote monitoring. Flexible scheduling with visits outside business hours, childcare and/or payments for transport would improve access. ‘Friendly partnering’ in clinical trials involves collaboration between researchers and patients to design and participate in trials, based on the principles of transparency, accessibility, empathy and co-ownership. This model aims for common objectives, shared decision making and mutual support.
