Coronavirus has an impact on clinical trial participants Wednesday, April 08, 2020 As the health care systems in Canada ramp up to meet the coming COVID-19 (Coronavirus) challenges, the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) recognizes that this may have an impact on the conduct and availability of cancer clinical trials. People living with cancer are at an increased risk from COVID-19 because of underlying medical conditions and a compromised immune system. Patient care, safety and well-being are a priority while we work to minimize the impact and duration of this pandemic. Challenges for patients participating in a trial may arise from; social distancing requirements, cancer centre restrictions, travel limitations, interruptions to the supply of investigational products, or because of the strain on hospital resources. These challenges may lead to difficulties in meeting trial-specified procedures, including following trial-mandated visits or follow-up, and access to laboratory or diagnostic testing. For those patients volunteering in a clinical trial, protocol modifications may be required, and could result in unavoidable trial deviations due to COVID-19 illness, exposure and centre control measures. The impact of necessary healthcare control measures on trials will vary depending on many factors; the type of cancer being studied, the trial design and where the trial is being conducted. All cancer centres that conduct clinical trials must follow institutional, provincial and national directives relating to COVID-19, which are evolving rapidly. Efforts are underway to monitor ongoing changes and reduce risks to trial participants and their families, hospital staff and the public. Read more.
