Process of development of decentralised clinical trial methodology for cancer clinical trials in Aotearoa New Zealand

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

The study identified 48 strengths, 62 weaknesses, 5 opportunities, and 13 threats across eight key trial activities in decentralised clinical trials, highlighting potential advantages like remote participation and challenges such as digital technology barriers and privacy issues.

SWOT analysis of decentralised clinical trials from an ethical, legal, regulatory and operational perspective — Murciano-Gamborino et al., BMC medical ethics · source ↗

• dct
• standards

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

A critical assessment of recent decentralised trial experience, weighing what the model has delivered against what was claimed for it.

Decentralized Clinical Trials in the Era of Real-World Evidence: A Critical Assessment of Recent Experiences — Wang et al., Clinical and Translational Science · source ↗

• dct
• standards
• digital-biomarker