Community Oncology is Enhancing Access and Engagement in Clinical Trials

From the earliest controlled clinical trials in the 1940s to the approximately 5,000 research studies now conducted each year, clinical trials have played a crucial role in advancing scientific discovery by rigorously evaluating the safety and efficacy of new treatments for patients. In cancer, clinical trials offer access to some of the most innovative investigational cancer treatments – think immunotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy, and highly targeted precision medicines – before they’re approved by regulatory authorities and available to the broader oncology community.

Clinical trials have shifted the cancer treatment paradigm and are a primary option. Yet, as the speed of innovation continues to accelerate, clinical research is getting exceedingly complex, making it more difficult for trial sites to start up a study and follow through over time.

Education on and access to clinical trials also remain a challenge, with only approximately 5% of people with cancer in the U.S. participating in clinical research. For people diagnosed with rare cancers, that number is even lower. And, in a time when precision medicine is driving research, even the most common cancers can face recruitment challenges as they need to enroll the “right” patients.

Clearly, there needs to be a change to help researchers streamline the process of identifying and recruiting eligible patients – particularly individuals who are representative of those living with the disease – to participate in clinical trials.

Community Cancer Centers Offer a Lifeline for Clinical Research

Right now, about 85% of people seek cancer care in the communities where they live, meaning that community-based oncology practices represent a viable, attractive option to ensure patient access to clinical trials – and to the most advanced therapeutic options – without having to travel far from home.

But, overcoming access challenges to clinical trials at the community level requires coordinated efforts between healthcare providers, clinical researchers, manufacturers, policymakers, and patients. And it requires a streamlined operational process that enables community-based sites to start quickly, identify and recruit eligible patients effectively, ensure efficient data collection to increase access to clinical research for patients, and accelerate timelines.

At McKesson, we are dedicated to eliminating barriers to clinical trial participation and enhancing patient access to high-quality cancer care in the community setting. We empower over 2,750 independent oncology providers in The US Oncology Network, driving innovation and expanding access to clinical trials and cutting-edge treatments for patients. Our research joint venture, Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), further strengthens this mission by fostering innovation and collaboration that drive advancements in cancer care. With more than 700 clinical trials actively enrolling nationally at partnering community oncology sites, we integrate clinical trials into community settings and empower patients with more opportunities to participate in groundbreaking research, ensuring that they receive the best possible care close to home.

Digital Technology Simplifies and Improves Research Operations

Accessing studies is critical, and patients and providers need to know what’s available. McKesson leverages technology that helps patients connect with an oncologist, receive treatment advice, and access supportive care from home, helping to overcome geographic and logistical barriers to care. We equip community-based practices with cutting-edge technology and workflow optimization resources that enable them to integrate clinical trials into their practices efficiently and effectively.

Data also plays a major role in driving clinical research. Through Ontada, McKesson’s technology and insights business, we’re able to use real-world oncology data – culled from patient data collected at the point of care, including clinical notes, lab tests, sensor readings, genomics, and operational data – as well as electronic health records (EHRs) to better identify potential clinical trial candidates. In fact, at the center of Ontada’s ecosystem is iKnowMed®, a proprietary web-based EHR designed for easy, mobile access to deliver precision-support technology and comprehensive point-of-care treatment support to over 2,000 oncology providers. Once a trial is opened within the SCRI network of practices, sophisticated patient matching algorithms through Genospace – SCRI's personalized medicine platform – marry clinical data from EHRs with curated trial information to identify the right patient for the right clinical trial at the right time in a patient’s cancer journey.

Community Cancer Centers Help Expand Access to Clinical Trials

Community engagement in clinical research helps build trust and increase participation, ensuring that all people with cancer have the ability to access cutting-edge care close to home.

When we expand access to clinical trials, studies can start on time, run smoothly, and finish faster. This efficiency helps researchers avoid delays in screening and enrolling participants. Plus, it makes the trial results more applicable to a broader population, speeding up the availability of new treatments for everyone.

At McKesson, we work with stakeholders to unlock the ability for community-based oncology practices to offer the latest clinical trials as a treatment option for their patients. By doing so, we can accelerate drug development and discovery while improving patient care.

IQVIA Institute. Global Trends in R&D 2024: Activity, productivity, and enablers. February 2024. Available at: https://www.iqvia.com/insights/the-iqvia-institute/reports-and-publications/reports/global-trends-in-r-and-d-2024-activity-productivity-and-enablers. Accessed February 2025. JM Unger, LN Shulman, MA Facktor, H Nelson, MD Fleury. National Estimates of the Participation of Patients With Cancer in Clinical Research Studies Based on Commission on Cancer Accreditation Data. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2024; JCO.23.01030.