Access to Clinical Trials for Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer: A Meta-Research Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The 18-year-old age limit for inclusion in clinical trials constitutes a hurdle for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. We analyzed the impact of this age barrier on the access of AYAs to cancer trials and novel therapies.

Methods

ClinicalTrials.gov was searched to identify all the trials including patients with 10 malignancies relevant for AYAs (January 2007 to July 2018). The trials were categorized as pediatric (patients <18 y), adult (≥18 y), and transitional (including adult and pediatric patients). Transitional trials with a lower limit between 12 and 18 years and an upper limit younger than 40 years were considered AYA-specific.

Results

Of 2764 identified trials, 2176 were included: 79% adult, 19% transitional, 2% pediatric. Five trials

SUBMITTER: de Rojas T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7050014 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature