A study by the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center emphasizes the need for more participation in pediatric clinical trials. The study, published in JCO Oncology Practice, shows that many children and teenagers diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. do not participate in clinical trials. These trials provide new treatments that could improve patient outcomes.
The study, led by Eric Durbin, director of the Kentucky Cancer Registry, shows the benefits of connecting cancer registry data with pediatric cancer clinical trial data. This connection can help track patients and find gaps in clinical trial enrollment. The results are being used in a nationwide study between the National Childhood Cancer Registry and the Children’s Oncology Group (COG).
The team linked data from the Kentucky Cancer Registry and the COG. They found Kentucky patients who had not enrolled in a clinical trial. Durbin said the study is an important step towards giving all children access to new cancer treatments from clinical trials.