A closer look at Oncology Trials and the role of eClinical companies

In the high-stakes world of oncology, innovation races forward at breakneck speed, creating a dynamic environment where only the most agile and informed players can thrive. McKinsey & Company’s insightful article, Playing to Win in Oncology: Key Capabilities for Success, delves into this ever-evolving landscape, highlighting the aspects of cutting-edge science, fierce competition, and an unwavering commitment to precision medicine and value-based care. In fact today, oncology is one of the world’s fastest-moving therapeutic areas (TAs) as well as the largest single TA. The space is also highly competitive with around one quarter of clinical drug trials between 2017-2022 happening in the field of oncology.

Source: Statista

When such high stakes are involved, it is imperative to look at the nuances of this segment more closely, its challenges and opportunities that lie within as well as understand how eClinical offerings can address the challenges and help navigate these complexities and supercharge the efficiency and effectiveness of trials.

Nuances of Oncology Trials

1. High Competition and Recruitment Challenges:
   • The competitive nature of oncology trials, especially in recruiting patients, poses significant challenges. For instance, the number of breast cancer patients required for active clinical trials exceeds the annual number of diagnoses twofold​​.
   • Complex treatment paradigms and the high demand for patient participation necessitate efficient and patient-centric trial designs.
2. Democratized Innovation:
   • Smaller players and collaborative models increasingly drive innovation, with a significant rise in clinical trials initiated by non-top-ten pharmaceutical companies​​.
   • Combination therapies are prevalent, with a majority of immuno-oncology trials involving two or more agents, emphasizing the need for flexible and collaborative trial frameworks.
3. Precision Medicine:
   • Identifying suitable biomarkers and developing companion diagnostics are crucial for targeting therapies effectively. The success of precision medicine depends on accurately identifying patient populations that will benefit the most​​.
   • Liquid biopsies and real-time data collection play vital roles in monitoring treatment responses and adapting therapies accordingly.
4. Focus on Value and Real-World Evidence:
   • The increasing emphasis on value-based care and real-world evidence (RWE) shapes the design and assessment of oncology trials. HEOR and P&MA teams are integral in building comprehensive evidence packages and optimizing dossiers for regulatory and payer approval​​.
   • Innovative pricing and contracting models, such as outcomes-based contracts, address the high costs of novel therapies​​.

Role of eClinical Companies

eClinical companies can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of oncology trials by:

1. Streamlining Patient Recruitment and Engagement:
   • Using advanced data analytics and AI, eClinical platforms can identify and engage potential trial participants more effectively. Predictive modeling and patient matching algorithms optimize recruitment efforts and reduce time-to-enrollment.
   • Digital tools enhance patient experience by providing planning tools, remote monitoring, and seamless communication channels, ensuring better patient retention and adherence to trial protocols.
2. Facilitating Collaborative and Adaptive Trial Designs:
   • eClinical platforms support the complex requirements of combination trials and adaptive trial designs by offering flexible and scalable solutions for data management and real-time monitoring.
   • These platforms enable seamless collaboration between different stakeholders, including academic partners, biopharma companies, and regulatory bodies, fostering a more integrated approach to trial management.
3. Enhancing Data Collection and Real-World Evidence Generation:
   • By integrating electronic health records (EHRs), wearables, and other digital health technologies, eClinical platforms facilitate comprehensive and real-time data collection, essential for precision medicine and RWE.
   • Advanced analytics provide insights into patient outcomes, treatment efficacy, and safety, supporting the development of evidence-based value propositions for new therapies.
4. Improving Operational Efficiency and Compliance:
   • Automation and digital workflows streamline trial operations, reducing administrative burdens and minimizing errors. This includes automated data entry, real-time data validation, and compliance tracking.
   • eClinical companies ensure adherence to regulatory requirements through integrated compliance monitoring and reporting tools, facilitating smoother regulatory submissions and approvals.

In conclusion, the dynamic and complex nature of oncology trials demands innovative and integrated solutions. eClinical companies address these challenges by enhancing patient recruitment and engagement, facilitating collaborative trial designs, improving data collection and analysis, and supporting value-based care models. By leveraging advanced technologies and digital tools, eClinical companies drive efficiencies, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to the successful development and commercialization of oncology therapies.

Cloudbyz eClinical is one of the fastest growing cloud based eClinical systems natively built on the Salesforce platform. Our solutions help customers of all sizes conduct clinical trials efficiently to bring life saving therapies faster to market and improve patient lives. Our eClinical platform comprises CTMS, EDC, eTMF, Safety & Pharmacovigilance and Patient Recruitment solutions.

To know more about the Cloudbyz Unified eClinical Platform contact info@cloudbyz.com