Expanding Access for Underserved and Rare Lung Cancer Populations through Decentralised Clinical Trials
A POLICY BRIEFING | OCTOBER 2026
Clinical trials can give people with lung cancer access to new treatments before they become widely available. But access is still uneven across Europe, especially for people who live far from specialist centres or need to travel across borders for a trial.
Decentralised clinical trials can help bring parts of research closer to where people live. This can include telemedicine, electronic consent, home monitoring, local testing and delivery of study medicines. These approaches can reduce travel, lower costs and make participation more accessible.
This policy briefing sets out Lung Cancer Europe’s recommendations for improving access to clinical trials, supporting cross-border participation and making research more representative of people affected by lung cancer.
Key Points
Our position
Decentralised clinical trials should be more widely supported across Europe.
Cross-border participation needs clearer pathways and better financial support.
Clinical trials should better represent underserved populations and the diversity of people affected by lung cancer.
