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Back to all 05-May 2020
05 May 2020
May '20

Revolutionising cancer clinical trial delivery

  • Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
  • VCCC Alliance
  • Alfred Health

Cancer clinical trials are experiencing a delivery revolution; adopting the teletrial model to implement trials across multiple sites.

Teletrials provide an opportunity to investigate rare cancers, widen patient recruitment and increase patient population diversity. Generally, they enable clinical trials to be opened at a primary clinical trial site in addition to singular or multiple satellite sites, including metro and regional locations.

The VCCC Teletrial Program has developed functional teletrial standard operating procedures (SOPs) and associated tools that can be directly applied to any clinical trial unit in Victoria and online training to support implementation.

“Alfred Health has for the first time, successfully set up a Phase I sponsored clinical trial with Royal Hobart Hospital for one of our oncology studies and just about to complete a second sponsored Phase III study submission. This would not have been possible without the resources that were supplied by VCCC – so thank you for having these available for us - not being a VCCC site.”

Cheryl-Ann Hawkins, Clinical Research Manager Medical Oncology, Alfred Health

Telehealth vs teletrials

Telehealth is a method that uses digital platforms to conduct a single site clinical trial. Teletrials is a model that enables the implementation of a clinical trial across multiple sites, through a partnership between a primary site and satellite sites.

Telehealth will assist the clinical trial sector to gain confidence and enact agile change in using alternative platforms for trial conduct.

While telehealth platforms can deliver a limited level of trial treatment, teletrials enable the increased trial activity to be conducted at multiple sites, for instance patients living in Bendigo can now fully access a clinical trial locally at Bendigo Health; who is collaborating with Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

Resources and training

Working in collaboration with COSA, Victorian clinical trial units, consumers and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, the VCCC has produced an operational teletrial model for Victoria which includes essential documents and online training explaining the process for implementing a teletrial in Victoria.

The easy-to-follow online training features real-life stories and videos. Participants can access the training via a Learning Management System for those who wish to gain continuing professional development (CPD) points or as open learning on our website, for anyone who is keen to learn more about teletrials in an accessible, engaging way.

Marliese Alexander from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, is the co-Principal Investigator on a teletrial open at four regional sites, and says, “The VCCC teletrial resources and training enables Victorian clinical trial sites to establish procedures such as attaining consent and conducting trial visits via video-link. These can then be used to extend trial capabilities through conversion from traditional trial models utilising telehealth capabilities, to the full teletrial model facilitating expanded scope of trial conduct.”

"These can then be used to extend trial capabilities through conversion from traditional trial models utilising telehealth capabilities, to the full teletrial model facilitating expanded scope of trial conduct.”

Marliese Alexander, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Clinical trial participation can extend and improve a patient’s quality-of-life. Trials provide patients with the opportunity to access new treatments, therapies and technologies. The teletrials model offers a conduit from using telehealth for trials, to partnering with metro and regional sites, and expanding the reach of trial. 

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