3rd Lung Cancer Europe Report
Challenges in lung cancer clinical trials
Published November 2018
Lung Cancer Europe’s third report focused on clinical trials and the barriers that can prevent people with lung cancer from taking part in research.
The report examined research investment, access to trials across Europe, recruitment, information and awareness, involvement in research, and whether clinical trial participants reflected the wider lung cancer community. It combined published evidence, expert interviews and surveys of people with lung cancer and Lung Cancer Europe member organisations.
242 people
with lung cancer responded to the European survey
81%
were interested in finding out more about lung cancer clinical trials
1714 trials
were underway in Europe when the report reviewed ClinicalTrials.gov data in August 2018
Figures reflect research and survey data collected in 2018.
What the report looked at
Access to clinical trials
Geographical, financial and practical barriers that could affect opportunities to take part in research.
Information and awareness
How much people knew about clinical trials, where they looked for information and whether that information met their needs.
Research priorities
Differences in research investment between lung cancer and other cancers, and between different types of lung cancer.
Who takes part in research
Whether trial eligibility and recruitment reflected the people seen in everyday lung cancer care, including older people and groups often underrepresented in research.
“Patients must have an active role in the entire research process. Joint action gives more opportunities and more diverse solutions and approaches to the problem.”
The report found strong interest in clinical research but significant gaps in knowledge and access. More than half of respondents said they did not completely understand what a clinical trial was, while greater knowledge was associated with greater willingness to participate.
Improve access to trials
Address geographical, socioeconomic and practical barriers and make research opportunities available to a wider range of people.
What Lung Cancer Europe called for
Make research more inclusive
Ensure eligibility criteria and trial populations better reflect people seen in everyday lung cancer care.
Provide clearer information
Improve awareness of clinical trials among both the lung cancer community and healthcare professionals, with information that is accurate, accessible and easier to understand.
Involve people in research
Include people affected by lung cancer earlier in setting priorities, designing studies, improving recruitment and communicating research results.
Putting clinical trials under the spotlight
The 2018 report was Lung Cancer Europe’s first Annual Report dedicated specifically to clinical research. It documented inequalities in access to trials, gaps in information and awareness, and the need for research to better reflect the people who could ultimately benefit from new treatments.
Challenges in lung cancer clinical trials
3rd Lung Cancer Europe Report, 2018