Open AccessChallenges of international oncology trial collaboration—a call to action
Author(s) -
Mónica Tang,
Heikki Joensuu,
R. J. Simes,
Timothy Price,
Sonia Yip,
Wendy Hague,
Katrin Marie Sjoquist,
John Zalcberg
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
british journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.833
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1532-1827
pISSN - 0007-0920
DOI - 10.1038/s41416-019-0532-4
Subject(s) - expediting , clinical trial , medicine , drug approval , oncology , pharmacology , drug , management , economics
International collaboration in oncology trials has the potential to enhance clinical trial activity by expediting the recruitment of large patient populations, testing treatments in diverse populations and facilitating the study of rare tumours or specific molecular subtypes. However, a number of challenges continue to hinder the efficient and productive conduct of both commercial and non-commercial international clinical trials. These challenges include complex and burdensome regulatory requirements, the high cost of conducting trials, and logistical challenges associated with ethics review, drug supply and biospecimen collection and management. We propose solutions to promote oncology trial collaboration, such as regulatory reform, harmonisation of trial initiation and management processes and greater recognition and funding of academic (non-commercial) clinical trials. It is only through coordinated effort and leadership from researchers, regulators and those responsible for health systems that the full potential of international trial collaboration can be realised.