Examining Factors Affecting Clinical Trial Enrolment in the Clinical Trials Navigator Program

Govana Sadik, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor
Michael Touma, Clinical Trials Navigator Inc, Windsor ON
Renee Nassar, Clinical Trials Navigator Inc, Windsor ON
Milica Paunic, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Mahmoud Hossami, Clinical Trials Navigator Inc, Windsor ON
Olla Hilal, Department of Medical Sciences, Western University
Roaa Hirmiz, Clinical Trials Navigator Inc, Windsor ON
Depen Sharma, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
Anthony Luginaah, Faculty of Medicine, Western University
Pratham Gupta, Department of Medical Sciences, Western University
Swati Kalia, Clinical Trials Navigator Inc, Windsor ON
Christina Trieu, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor
Salah Alhajsaleh, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor
Anaam Jaet, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor
Ria Patel, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor
Gregory Charalambos Anagnostopoulos, Faculty of Medicine, Western University
Megan Delisle, Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB; Paul Albrechtsen CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, Winnipeg, MB
Laurice Togonon Arayan, Department of Oncology, Western University, Windsor Campus, Windsor ON
Caroline Hamm, Clinical Trials Navigator Inc, Windsor ON; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Windsor; Department of Oncology, Western University, Windsor Campus, Windsor ON

Description

Introduction Oncology clinical trial accrual rates are estimated to be around 5%. The Clinical Trials Navigator (CTN) Program helps oncology patients identify clinical trials. We analyzed program and patient characteristics to determine features of successful enrolment. Methods A retrospective study was conducted, analyzing 411 CTN records from March 2019 to April 2024. 73 were referred to a clinical trial, with 14 successfully enrolled. Demographic and program characteristics were analyzed for the enrolled and non-enrolled. The reason for non-enrolment was recorded. For the enrolled, trial characteristics were recorded. All comparative values were analyzed using a Welch’s T-test. Results The average age for the enrolled group was 61 years, and non-enrolled 57 years (p=0.154). The mean distance from home center to clinical trial site was 332.9 kilometers (km) for enrolled and 407.6 km for non-enrolled (p= 0.152). The CTN processing time for the enrolled group had a mean time of 4.1 days and the non-enrolled had a mean time of 12.5 days (p= 0.002). The mean time of initial CTN application to death for the enrolled group was 17.4 months and the non-enrolled was 7.9 months. (p= 0.0051). The reason for non-enrolment was found to be either or centre specific (60.1%) or patient specific (39.9%). Patient enrolment by trial phase: three phase I (21%), two phase I/II (14%), three phase II (21%), one phase II/III (7%), one phase III (7%), and four NGS (29%). Conclusion These findings highlight some of the unique barriers and opportunities for patients in patient-centered clinical trials enrolment.

 
Mar 22nd, 11:00 AM Mar 22nd, 5:30 PM

Examining Factors Affecting Clinical Trial Enrolment in the Clinical Trials Navigator Program

Introduction Oncology clinical trial accrual rates are estimated to be around 5%. The Clinical Trials Navigator (CTN) Program helps oncology patients identify clinical trials. We analyzed program and patient characteristics to determine features of successful enrolment. Methods A retrospective study was conducted, analyzing 411 CTN records from March 2019 to April 2024. 73 were referred to a clinical trial, with 14 successfully enrolled. Demographic and program characteristics were analyzed for the enrolled and non-enrolled. The reason for non-enrolment was recorded. For the enrolled, trial characteristics were recorded. All comparative values were analyzed using a Welch’s T-test. Results The average age for the enrolled group was 61 years, and non-enrolled 57 years (p=0.154). The mean distance from home center to clinical trial site was 332.9 kilometers (km) for enrolled and 407.6 km for non-enrolled (p= 0.152). The CTN processing time for the enrolled group had a mean time of 4.1 days and the non-enrolled had a mean time of 12.5 days (p= 0.002). The mean time of initial CTN application to death for the enrolled group was 17.4 months and the non-enrolled was 7.9 months. (p= 0.0051). The reason for non-enrolment was found to be either or centre specific (60.1%) or patient specific (39.9%). Patient enrolment by trial phase: three phase I (21%), two phase I/II (14%), three phase II (21%), one phase II/III (7%), one phase III (7%), and four NGS (29%). Conclusion These findings highlight some of the unique barriers and opportunities for patients in patient-centered clinical trials enrolment.

https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/we-spark-conference/2025/postersessions/68