Role of decentralized clinical trials in cancer drug development: Results from a survey of oncologists and patients

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

The study found that although participants preferred patient-centric microsampling devices for home use, the agreement with venous plasma for measuring CRP and cytokines was inconsistent, indicating that further validation is required before these methods replace standard venipuncture.

Limited agreement of cytokines and CRP through patient-centric microsampling compared to venipuncture in healthy adults — Tuttle et al., Bioanalysis (paywalled) · source ↗

• dct
• venous-agreement
• acceptability
• blood
• dbs
• self-collection
• dried
• biomarkers

The study determined that an at-home saliva collection protocol using the passive drool method was feasible for Black women with histories of abuse, with 84% of participants completing at least one full day of adherent sampling. While the decentralised approach yielded usable cortisol data, women with histories of forced sex exposure showed lower protocol adherence scores.

Repeat At-Home Saliva Collection to Measure Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR): Protocol Feasibility Study Among Black Women With Histories of Abuse — Tsuyuki et al., Interactive journal of medical research (paywalled) · source ↗

• dct
• acceptability
• cortisol
• self-collection
• liquid
• saliva

In a pilot mixed-methods study of youth with HIV, mailed HemaSpot-HF kits enabled home-based dried blood spot collection that participants found feasible and acceptable, supporting remote viral load monitoring and a self-management model for decentralised care.

An Examination of Perceptions and Usage of Dried Blood Spot Biosampling Technology for HIV Viral Load Collection Among Youth with HIV — Gurung et al., AIDS and behavior (paywalled) · source ↗

• blood
• dried
• dbs
• self-collection
• acceptability
• dct
• serology

In a feasibility randomised controlled trial with 28 adults aged 65 years, 62% successfully self-collected finger-prick capillary blood samples for influenza antibody and vitamin D measurement. While overall study procedures were acceptable, the capillary sampling method requires refinement before wider deployment in decentralised diagnostics for older adults.

PROTECTIVE-D-a feasibility randomised controlled trial examining the effect of a positive mood intervention and vitamin D supplementation on the immunological responses to influenza vaccination in older adults — Royal et al., Pilot and feasibility studies (paywalled) · source ↗

• dct
• acceptability
• blood
• self-collection
• serology
• capillary
• biomarkers