Simply Digital: Trial Technologies Help Reduce Oncology's Burden

As the share of oncology trials continues to increase, the rationale for using digital tools in these trials becomes stronger. Cancer trials are now the most commonly researched of all diseases, with their prevalence in clinical trials rising annually. Research from Tufts CSDD reveals that the number of cancer drug trials has nearly quadrupled since 2000, reaching 1,489 trials in 2021, up from 421 two decades earlier.

Tufts CSDD attributes this growth to oncology drug developers increasingly shifting towards precision medicine, embracing new molecular targets, and advancements in genetic sequencing technologies.

Researchers recognize that participating in a cancer trial is a daunting task for patients already dealing with the physical and psychological challenges of the disease. Recently, the FDA and EMA have been advocating for digital and decentralized approaches in cancer research, as these methods can reduce the burden on both sites and participants.

This is promising news, as digital and decentralized tools can alleviate some of the difficulties faced by participants and sites, making trials less overwhelming.