Characterizing mood disorders in the AFFECT study: a large, longitudinal, and phenotypically rich genetic cohort in the US

A nationwide survey of 194 professionals across 140 Japanese hospitals found that geographic and logistical barriers limit access to comprehensive genomic profiling and genotype-matched trials, with over half of eligible patients declining participation due to travel distance; most institutions support telemedicine for consent and results and view DCTs as essential to improve equitable access.

Bridging the distance in precision oncology: a nationwide survey on institutional perspectives toward telemedicine and decentralized trials in Japan — Taniguchi et al., International journal of clinical oncology · source ↗

• dct
• oncology
• genotyping

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

Wearable-derived digital biomarkers have been accepted by regulatory agencies as endpoints in clinical trials for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, showing their potential to support decentralised diagnostics through patient-centric monitoring. This matters because it enables more sensitive and continuous assessment of disease progression outside clinical settings.

Artificial Intelligence in Neuromuscular Diseases: Opportunities for a Data-Scarce Field — Ma et al., Neurology and therapy (paywalled) · source ↗

• dct
• wearable
• rpm
• digital-biomarker
• validation
• biomarkers
• multi-omics

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

A Danish virtual feasibility study of 55 adults with atopic dermatitis found that remote recruitment and self-collection of DNA samples by mail, combined with weekly smartphone tasks, achieved 96% retention and over 90% task adherence, over a short eight-week study with self-reported outcomes.

High adherence and low dropout rate in a virtual clinical study of atopic dermatitis through weekly reward-based personalized genetic lifestyle reports — Ali et al., PLOS ONE · source ↗

• dct
• acceptability
• self-collection
• genotyping