Virtual oncology research-different models and lessons learned

Abstract

Purpose of reviewThe COVID-19 pandemic posed several challenges to cancer research including halting of trials, reduced recruitment and protocol violations related to inflexible processes followed in clinical trials. Researchers adopted innovative measures to mitigate these problems and continue studies without compromising their quality. This review collates these adaptations that could well continue after the pandemic. Recent findingsThe COVID-19 pandemic forced researchers globally to adopt innovative measures to overcome the challenges of the pandemic. These included protocol amendments to adjust to the pandemic and travel restrictions, and increased use of digital technologies. 'Virtual' clinical trials were conducted increasingly with adaptations in ethics and regulatory approvals, patient recruitment and consenting, study interventions and delivery of study medications, trial assessments, and monitoring. Many of these adaptations are safe and feasible, without compromising study quality and data integrity. Although these may not be universally applicable in all types of research, they bring many benefits including more diverse patient participation, less burden on patients for study procedures and reduced resources to conduct trials.

Surgical oncology during the post‐COVID‐19 era: What is next?

“…Impressively, many of these adaptations seemed to be safe and feasible, without compromising study quality and data integrity. In addition, they bring many benefits including more diverse patient participation, less burden on patients for study procedures and reduced resources 25 . Therefore, these strategies could be adopted by future clinical trials to regain the lost backlog in surgical oncology research during COVID‐19 pandemic.…”

Lessons learnt while designing and conducting a longitudinal study from the first Italian COVID-19 pandemic wave up to 3 years

“…The risk of disruption to some research lines due to restrictions (for example, [ 8 ]) and researchers’ redeployment has been debated [ 9 ]. Violations in the protocols designed before the pandemic have also been investigated in their influence on the quality of the research [ 10 ]. How to ensure data collection online instead of face to face [ 11 ] was discussed to ensure continuity in some studies.…”