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M. Sung



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    MINI 29 - Meta Analyses and Trial Conduct (ID 156)

    • Event: WCLC 2015
    • Type: Mini Oral
    • Track: Treatment of Advanced Diseases - NSCLC
    • Presentations: 1
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      MINI29.12 - Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Are Research Biopsies a Barrier to Participation in Clinical Trials? (ID 663)

      18:30 - 20:00  |  Author(s): M. Sung

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      The evolution of targeted therapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has led to growing complexity of clinical research and a heightened expectation of clinical benefit for participants. Clinical trials in NSCLC increasingly require mandatory tumour samples or research biopsies, both potential barriers for trial participation. We assessed the impact of performing research biopsies in advanced NSCLC on clinical trial enrollment.

      Methods:
      We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with advanced NSCLC evaluated for systemic therapy clinical trials at the Princess Margaret Cancer Center from January 2007 to March 2015.

      Results:
      Of 55 clinical trials reviewed, 38 required tumor samples for enrolment. Six mandated fresh tumor biopsies, whereas archival samples were permitted for 32 trials. All studies were linked to investigational therapy except one trial of molecular profiling not linked to an investigational treatment. Confirmation of a pre-specified biomarker was required in 23 trials in order to receive investigational treatment. Trial participation was offered to 640 patients at 940 unique study encounters, with some patients enrolling in multiple trials. Of 549 encounters where study treatment was offered, 60% proceeded to receive study treatment. Those considering trials without mandatory tissue requirements were more likely to proceed to study enrolment than those considering trials with these requirements (83% vs. 55%, p<0.0001). Those considering trials permitting use of archival tissue were more likely to begin study treatment than those considering trials mandating fresh research biopsies (59% vs. 38%, p=0.0007). For trials requiring current tumour samples, 127 research biopsies were performed. Participants proceeded to study treatment in 51% of these encounters. Study treatment was not offered for the remaining encounters due to lack of the pre-specified biomarker (28%), insufficient biopsy tissue (6%) or non-biopsy related exclusion criteria (15%). Among all 549 trial encounters, the most common barriers to trial enrollment included lack of the pre-specified biomarker (35%), withdrawal of consent (20%), other study exclusion criteria (16%), insufficient biopsy tissue (10%), deteriorating clinical status (10%) and death (5%). Of 391 encounters for the molecular profiling trial, 72% successfully completed molecular profiling. Twenty-two percent had insufficient tissue for analysis and 3% died prior to completion of molecular profiling.

      Conclusion:
      With the evolution of personalized medicine, a growing number of NSCLC trials require tumour tissue for treatment eligibility. This has emerged as a significant barrier to clinical trial enrollment. Potential solutions include routine tissue banking at diagnosis, facilitating use of available diagnostic samples (e.g. fine needle aspirates) for trials, development of circulating DNA assays for trials, and more resources for timely tissue acquisition.

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