Bringing Clinical Trials Closer to Home Improves Access for Patients With Cancer

Expanding local access to clinical trials can meaningfully improve options for patients with cancer by reducing barriers and bringing research opportunities closer to home, according to Dr. Natalie Berger, medical oncologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Berger explained in an interview with CURE that offering clinical trials in community settings is essential, as not all patients have the time or resources to travel long distances to academic centers. For many, traveling an hour or more for care may not be feasible, which can limit access to potentially beneficial treatment options.

By bringing trials directly into the community, patients can explore these opportunities without needing to take extended time off work or arrange transportation for long trips. Berger noted that this can make a significant difference in whether patients are able to participate in clinical research.

She added that, at various points in their care — from early-stage to metastatic disease — many patients express interest in clinical trials but may not know where to find them or may face challenges accessing them. Making trials available locally helps address these gaps and ensures more patients can consider participation as part of their care.

In addition to improving convenience, expanding access in community settings also supports greater diversity in clinical trial enrollment. Berger emphasized the importance of including a wide range of patient populations to better understand how treatments work across different groups.

Overall, she highlighted that increasing the availability of clinical trials in community practices not only expands access and opportunity for patients but also strengthens research by making it more inclusive.

Transcript

How can expanding local access to clinical trials change the experience and options available to patients with cancer?

Bringing clinical trials to the community is incredibly important. Not every patient has the time or resources to travel an hour or two, or however long it might take, to reach an academic center or another facility offering clinical trials. Being able to bring those trials directly to patients in the community makes a meaningful difference.

Working in the community has been one of the greatest opportunities for me to do this. At different points in their disease — whether early-stage or metastatic — many patients are interested in clinical trials but may not know where to turn or may not be able to access them. Providing that opportunity locally means they don’t have to travel, take time off work or find someone to drive them long distances. That’s incredibly important.

It’s also critical because we want clinical trials to include diverse patient populations. We want to represent everyone when studying these medications. By bringing trials into the community, we improve access, diversity and opportunity for patients. It’s very meaningful to me to be in a community-based setting where we can do this, and I hope more community practices will be able to offer clinical trials over time.

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