Results from a global survey of clinical cancer researchers on clinical trial design and conduct during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond
Abstract
e13576 Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound detrimental consequences on cancer patient outcomes and clinical cancer research, with considerable adaptations made to both standard care and clinical research to optimise patient safety. Detailed perspectives of clinical researchers on such risk mitigation, and granular insight into which adaptions should persist long term, are required to inform future clinical trial design. Methods: We designed and performed an in depth, global survey (open between 04/22/20 and 06/10/2020) of cancer research professionals to assess the impact of the pandemic on clinical care and research, and how researchers prioritise and view clinical research methodologies. Results: 162 valid responses were received (58.7% oncologists, 14.8% research nurses; 69.1% working in academic centers) from six continents. There was significant heterogeneity in how the pandemic has affected healthcare workers, patients on standard of care or investigational trial treatments, and clinical trial recruitment. Our results detail how trial and non-trial patient care has altered in respondents’ centres and how respondents would prioritise specific trial designs while the pandemic continues. We show marked variance in the perceived value of specific trial protocol features and assessments (regardless of the pandemic). More respondents agreed than disagreed that trial eligibility criteria are too restrictive (48% agreed versus 28% disagreed), that screening…
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