Aim
AYA cancer patients have poorer survival outcomes in comparison to other age cohorts for a number of cancers. With clinical trials significantly contributing to our understanding of disease states and the method by which new treatments ultimately become available for patients, it is prudent to examine AYA clinical trial participation due to these considerations. The aim of this study is to estimate the statewide rate of AYA participation in oncology clinical trials in Victoria, and identify any important trends.
Method
The AYA cohort was defined as patients aged over 14 and under 30 at diagnosis. Using annual Cancer Trials Management Scheme data, collected through Cancer Council Victoria, data from 43 clinical trial departments across 26 hospitals was reviewed. Statewide participation rate was calculated by the total number of reported AYA recruits divided by the total number of new AYA cancer diagnoses. Patient recruitment was also collated for each Integrated Cancer Service (ICS) region.
Results
In 2011 there were 25 new AYA participants recruited into clinical trials. Only metropolitan ICS regions recruited AYA participants with most entering a haemato-oncology clinical trial (32%). The AYA recruitment rate was estimated to be approximately 6%, compared with the Victorian recruitment rate of around 7% [i]. Considering previously reported data [ii] this estimation shows the AYARR has remained virtually unchanged 15 years.
Conclusions
Improving access to clinical trials for AYA patients is one of the key challenges in optimising the management of AYA cancers. The observed AYA recruitment which remains virtually unchanged but should be monitored in light of an evolving multidiscplinary approach to care for this cohort. Despite study limitations it is intended that this data collection occur periodically to monitor ongoing trends. It is hoped the data will also be useful for the Integrated Cancer Services.