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Recruiting for Oncology Trials in Eastern Europe

Only 3% of eligible cancer patients participating in clinical trials worldwide. Women are even less likely to participate. For those of us working in clinical research, it's time to reflect on the ways to advance women's health around the globe and improve those numbers.

Previously, we have discussed why outsourcing to a local CRO is a smart choice for study sponsors (and large CROs, as well). The patient recruitment benefits alone are compelling enough to draw trials to specific areas around the globe with strong track records of clinical trial success. In this article, we will narrow in on Eastern Europe and its benefits for oncology trials.

Women's Cancers: The Need for New Research Strategies
As the world's population grows, and life spans increase, the burden of cancer grows as well. Cancer is the second leading cause of death for women worldwide. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, 8.5 million women were afflicted with cancer in 2018, with breast cancer accounting for over 25% of those cases.^[1] Cancer treatments are still extremely costly (particularly in low-income regions of the world). Now more than ever, advancement in cancer research is a critical area of focus for the pharmaceutical industry.

Patient Recruitment Success for Oncology Trials
Oncology is a particularly difficult area for recruiting clinical trial participants. It is estimated that only about 3% of eligible patients participate in oncology trials.

Since 2005, OCT Clinical has completed more than 70 oncology trials with excellent patient recruitment outcomes: in a phase III ovarian cancer study, for example, the enrollment rate was double that of the rest of the world. And for a phase III breast cancer study, the rate was three times higher.

Learn more about our experience in oncology and other therapeutic areas here.

Access to treatment-naive populations and a strong framework in the local healthcare system make regions in Eastern Europe ideal for patient recruitment, especially for challenging therapeutic areas like oncology.

Common Misconceptions About Clinical Trials in Eastern Europe
Despite changing sociopolitical conditions around the world, the global life sciences community is united by a common mission to fight illness and bring new treatments to those who are suffering. It is natural to look at current events and react from a place of concern, but in reality, they have little bearing on how clinical trials are conducted.

Ukraine, for instance, has experienced political unrest in the past several years — however, the country boasts high recruitment rates, quality study data, and low trial costs. As of 2017, the European Business Association in Ukraine had reported that the country was only at 15% capacity for how many clinical trials it could host. For sponsors looking to minimize cost and optimize clinical trial outcomes, it is important not to overlook any area of Eastern Europe.

The search for effective cancer treatments starts with robust clinical research. And of course, successful clinical trials begin with strong patient recruitment strategies. With patient enrollment presenting one of the biggest challenges in conducting clinical studies, it is critical to investigate the untapped potential of clinical trials in Eastern Europe. To learn more about the overlooked benefits of patient recruitment in this region, talk to one of our experts today.

Want to optimize your site's timeline and budget?

We offer complimentary feasibility and project management reviews to see if conduct in Eastern Europe or the CIS offer your study a competitive advantage.