Aim

AYA cancer patients have poorer survival outcomes in comparison to other age cohorts for a number of cancers.  With clinical trials significantly contributing to our understanding of disease states and the method by which new treatments ultimately become available for patients, it is prudent to examine AYA clinical trial participation due to these considerations.  The aim of this study is to estimate the statewide rate of AYA participation in oncology clinical trials in Victoria, and identify any important trends.

Method

The AYA cohort was defined as patients between 15 and 29 inclusive.  Using annual Cancer Trials Management Scheme data, collected through Cancer Council Victoria, data from 43 clinical trial departments was reviewed for 2011 and 2012.  The statewide participation rate was calculated by the total number of reported AYA recruits divided by the total number of new AYA cancer diagnoses.  Analyses included AYA accrual based on geographical regions, trial types and tumour streams.

Results

There was a 48% increase in AYA recruitment between 2011 and 2012 (25 in 2011 compared with 48 in 2012) which may be a reflection of improved data collection methods.  Only metropolitan areas recruited AYA participants with most entering haematology clinical trials (32% in 2011 and 56% in 2012). The AYA recruitment rate was estimated to be approximately 6% in 2011, compared with the overall Victorian recruitment rate of around 7% (Parker 2011). The 2012 AYA recruitment rate is pending release of 2012 incidence data.

Conclusions

Improving access to clinical trials for AYA patients is one of the key challenges in optimising the management of AYA cancers.  The observed data should be monitored in light of an evolving multidisciplinary approach to care for this cohort.  Despite study limitations it is intended that this data collection is utilised to monitor ongoing trends.