Clinical trials play a crucial role in advancing healthcare by testing new drugs and analyzing their effects. In recent years, there have been many significant changes and breakthroughs in the field of clinical trials.

A major change that we can see is an increased focus on transparency in clinical trials. This has led to the development of global clinical trial registers, which make information about clinical trials available to the public (JAMA Network).

In terms of breakthroughs, one example is the development of gene therapy, which involves introducing genetic material into cells to treat or prevent disease (Worldwide Cancer Research). Another example is the development of vaccines for pandemics, most importantly the recent outbreak of COVID-19.

These are just a few examples of how clinical trials have progressed in the recent decade. In this blog post, we will explore some of the emerging trends in clinical trials and what they mean for the future of healthcare.

A glance at the latest advancements in clinical trials

Let’s take a quick look at the major trends that are shaping up clinical trials:

The trends we will discuss include:

  • Use of tech to recruit clinical trial participants
  • Patient-centric approaches
  • Globalization of clinical trials
  • Increased use of real-world data

Use of tech to recruit clinical trial participants

Some of the key challenges faced by researchers in clinical trials include slow recruitment and retention of participants, compliance with regulations and rules, data management, and lack of participant diversity. These challenges can be addressed through the use of technology.

Thanks to the massive proliferation of the internet, the abundance of mobile apps, and their accessibility, recruiting patients and users for clinical trials is no longer difficult. The connectivity between clinical trials and qualified participants has increased drastically.

One way technology is advancing clinical trials is through the use of wearable technology, AI, big data analytics, synthetic biology, telemedicine, and mobile communication and apps 1. These technologies can help with faster recruitment and better retention of participants, improving the patient experience, improving patient data capture, access to non-traditional data sets, and remote patient monitoring.

Another way technology is changing clinical trials is through the decentralization of trials. Decentralized trials, also known as remote trials, allow for more flexible and patient-centered study designs that facilitate the collection of data from patients remotely in real time.

All these technological advancements have made it possible to advance clinical trials significantly and enabled it to collect data that was previously considered impossible to gather.

Patient-centric approaches

One of the emerging trends in clinical trials is the move towards more patient-centric approaches. Patient-centric approach involves the designing and conducting clinical trials with a focus on the needs and perspectives of patients.

There are several ways that clinical trials are becoming more patient-centric. One way is through the use of technology, such as wearable devices and telemedicine, to improve the patient experience and make it easier for patients to participate in trials.

Another way is through the decentralization of trials, which allows for more flexible and patient-centered study designs that facilitate the collection of data from patients remotely in real time. Medical survey tools are an excellent example of this.

The benefits of a patient-centric approach for patients include increased trust and comfort with the trial process, as well as improved recruitment and retention of participants. For researchers, a patient-centric approach can help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the trial by addressing some of the key challenges faced by researchers.

Globalization of clinical trials

There is no denying the fact that clinical trials are no longer concentrated in one corner of the world. It has become a global phenomenon with several new clinical trial sites emerging in regions such as Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

However, there are two sides to the globalization of clinical trials — it presents both challenges and opportunities.

One of the major challenges is ensuring ethical oversight and protecting the rights of patients, particularly in developing countries where there may be disparities in economic and educational status.

To address this challenge, global pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer have implemented policies and processes to ensure that all trials meet international standards for ethical conduct, regardless of where they are conducted.

On the other hand, the globalization of clinical trials also presents opportunities for improving patient access to high-quality medical care and for diffusing medical knowledge and effective medical practice. By conducting trials in a wider range of countries and regions, researchers can also gain a better understanding of how drugs may work in different populations.

Overall, the trend toward the globalization of clinical trials presents both challenges and opportunities for improving healthcare on a global scale.

Increased use of real-world data

Real-world data (RWD) refers to any data collected outside the clinical trial setting, including electronic health records (EHRs), medical claims, and patient-generated data. Real-world evidence (RWE), on the other hand, is clinical evidence of the potential benefits or risks of a therapy derived from analysis of RWD.

The use of real-world data in clinical trials has several potential benefits. For example, RWD can provide information on how a drug may work in a real-world setting, outside of the controlled environment of a clinical trial. This can help researchers to better understand the effectiveness and safety of a drug in a broader population.

However, there are also potential drawbacks to using real-world data in clinical trials. One challenge is ensuring the quality and accuracy of the data, as RWD may be subject to biases and errors. Additionally, there may be concerns about the privacy and security of patient data.

Despite these challenges, there are many examples of how real-world data is being used to improve clinical trial design and outcomes. For example, RWD can be used to identify patient populations for recruitment into clinical trials. RWD can also be used to support the design of pragmatic clinical trials, which aim to test the effectiveness of interventions in real-world settings.

Conclusion

The past decade has seen a resurrection of sorts in clinical trials. Technology is playing an increasingly important role in changing the way clinical trials are conducted, through the use of wearable technology, AI, big data analytics, synthetic biology, telemedicine, and mobile communication and apps.

Patient-centric approaches are helping to build trust between patients and researchers and improve recruitment and retention of participants. The globalization of clinical trials presents both challenges and opportunities for improving healthcare on a global scale. The increased use of real-world data in clinical trials presents both challenges and opportunities for improving the design and outcomes of clinical research.

All said these emerging trends are helping the healthcare domain become more capable of delivering positive patient outcomes and in delivering a better patient experience.