UC Davis

Purpose of the study

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients are underrepresented in clinical trials, but the reasons for this phenomenon are unknown.

Patients and methods

Questionnaire and medical record data from 515 AYA cancer patients (21 acute lymphocytic leukemia [ALL], 201 germ cell tumor, 141 Hodgkin lymphoma, 128 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 24 sarcoma) from a population-based study were analyzed. We used multivariable models to determine characteristics associated with patient knowledge of the availability of clinical trials for their cancer. Reasons for not participating in a trial were tabulated.

Results

In total, 63% of patients reported not knowing whether a relevant clinical trial was available, 20% reported knowing that a clinical trial was not available, and 17% reported that a trial was available. Among patients reporting an available trial, 67% were recommended for enrollment. Knowing about the availability of clinical trials was associated with having ALL (odds ratio=2.9, 95% confidence interval=1.1, 7.8). Reporting that a clinical trial was available was positively associated with having ALL, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and sarcoma (relative to germ cell tumor) and working full-time or in school full-time (odds ratio=2.6, 95% confidence interval=1.0, 6.7). Concerns about involvement in research (57%) and problems accessing trials (21%) were the primary reasons cited for not enrolling among patients who knew that a trial was available.

Conclusions

Improvement in AYA cancer patient clinical trial enrollment will require enhancing knowledge about trial availability and addressing this population's concerns about participating in medical research.