Seminars in oncology
-
Seminars in oncology · Apr 2010
Recruitment of adolescents and young adults to cancer clinical trials--international comparisons, barriers, and implications.
The last 30 years have seen significant improvements in survival rates for children and older adults. In contrast, the 5-year survival rate among 20 to 39 year olds has been static at around 70% since 1986. Data from the United States, Australia, Italy, and the United Kingdom suggest that this age group also has the lowest rate of clinical trial participation. ⋯ This level of trial activity may be associated with the lack of improvement in survival for the older age group. Strategies to increase the numbers of adolescents and young adults (AYA) recruited to cancer clinical trials have become a focus of research activity in several countries. This article explores possible barriers to recruitment of AYA and summarizes current policies in the United States and the United Kingdom to increase accrual of young adults with cancer to clinical trials.