Bridging the distance in precision oncology: a nationwide survey on institutional perspectives toward telemedicine and decentralized trials in Japan

This review suggests that decentralised clinical trials in oncology can improve patient participation and equity but face significant regulatory, logistical and digital hurdles. It concludes that these trials offer a flexible model dependent on specific clinical contexts rather than a universal replacement for conventional methods.

From site-centered to patient-centered: Promises and challenges of decentralized clinical trials in oncology — Gentile et al., Critical reviews in oncology/hematology (paywalled) · source ↗

• oncology
• dct

Hybrid decentralized oncology trials are feasible in community hospitals beyond traditional networks, reducing logistical and financial burdens and enabling rapid initiation and patient referrals within three months.

Building HOPE: operationalizing hybrid decentralized oncology clinical trials with community providers beyond traditional healthcare system networks — Morrison et al., The oncologist · source ↗

• dct
• oncology

This study demonstrated that a fully remote genome sequencing study using self-collected dried blood spots and buccal swabs is feasible for individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome, with all participants completing the study and reporting the process was easy despite being lengthy. The design successfully returned actionable genetic findings, including those related to blood clot formation, to participants.

Study design with responsible return of results for a fully remote genome sequencing study in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome — Vrana-Diaz et al., Genetics in medicine open · source ↗

• blood
• saliva
• dried
• dbs
• self-collection
• acceptability
• dct
• genotyping

In a one-week virtual home clinic with 134 participants, 86 per cent returned saliva and 84 per cent returned stool, and most components were feasible and acceptable despite device and logistical challenges. This supports decentralised, patient-centric self-collection of non-blood biospecimens for research.

Collecting at-Home Biometric Measures for Longitudinal Research From the i3C: Feasibility and Acceptability Study — Russell et al., JMIR human factors · source ↗

• dct
• acceptability
• self-collection
• microbiome
• stool
• saliva
• genotyping

Decentralised clinical trials can help overcome barriers to trial participation such as travel burdens and improve access to recommended treatments.

[Decentralized Clinical Trials in Cancer Patients] — Sasaki & Nakamura, Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy (paywalled) · source ↗

• dct
• oncology