In Search Of A Cure For Low Enrollment In Oncology Clinical Trials

Slow recruitment in clinical trials for cancer is expensive: delays can cost up to $250,000 per patient. This article explains why so many patients never enter oncology studies. Barriers include strict eligibility rules tied to past treatments and required “washout” periods, travel burdens that keep rural patients out, and ongoing gaps in participation among Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian patients.

Patient advocates point to fear of receiving a placebo, confusion about what trials involve, and how hard it can be to find the right study, even for physicians. For people with head and neck cancers, side effects such as trouble eating, speaking, or swallowing can make participating especially difficult. Several approaches can help close the gap: broader eligibility criteria, AI-driven patient identification, clearer education, and encouragement from trusted providers. Read on to learn how to break down the barriers keeping patients out of your oncology trials and enroll your studies faster.