Empowering Oncology Research With The Right Technology Solutions

By Ian Davison, RTSM Subject Matter Expert; Melissa Newara, VP of Subject Matter Expertise

Over the past decade, there has been a profound transformation in the conduct of oncology clinical trials. Simultaneously, the volume of real-world data amassed in these trials has surged. This evolving landscape in cancer research is being facilitated by cutting-edge technological solutions, streamlining and enhancing the research process.

In earlier times, oncology studies primarily scrutinized cytotoxic chemotherapy in broad histology-based patient cohorts, categorizing individuals based on cellular or tissue abnormalities. Today, these investigations frequently employ smaller patient subsets to assess targeted therapeutics and immunotherapies tailored to specific biomarkers. This paradigm shift necessitates a reevaluation of how oncology trials are executed, involving a more selective approach to patient recruitment and endpoint determination, thereby rendering the recruitment process more intricate. To adapt to this change, researchers have started employing adaptive designs, initially developed for rare disease research, within the realm of oncology clinical trials.

Numerous aspects of oncology clinical research present inherent complexities, encompassing aspects from study design to data analysis. Nevertheless, the judicious application of advanced technology solutions has the potential to simplify the operational aspects of oncology trials.

In this article, authors explore the following key areas:

1. Strategies for surmounting challenges in patient enrollment and retention.
2. Technological solutions that expedite the timelines of studies.
3. Effective management of a global supply chain.