Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 30: Integrating patients more deeply into oncology research can help align emerging cancer therapies with real-world needs by translating scientific advances into outcomes that truly matter to those living with the disease, experts have said.
In a recent opinion piece, Clark and colleagues argued that patient integration should go beyond cancer care delivery and extend across the entire research pathway, from laboratory studies to clinical trials. They noted that as oncology research becomes increasingly complex and technical, a growing gap risks emerging between scientific innovation and patient priorities.
The authors said involving patients and caregivers earlier and more meaningfully could help research teams set priorities rooted in lived experience, ultimately improving how novel therapies translate into patient-level benefits.
While patient-centricity is now widely recognised in clinical practice, with patients playing a larger role in treatment decisions, the authors observed that research settings often lag behind. Patient involvement is frequently limited to reviewing select elements of studies rather than participating as equal partners.
They called for deeper collaboration in which patients contribute to shaping research questions, methodologies and goals alongside investigators and sponsors. In preclinical research, patient integration was described as a way to keep early-stage programmes focused on unmet needs and meaningful endpoints. In clinical research, it can improve how trials are designed, communicated and evaluated, particularly as studies become more specialised.
Clark and colleagues also highlighted the growing willingness of patients to influence drug development and research direction. They stressed that patient contributors should be able to represent broader communities rather than individual viewpoints alone.
Emphasising the importance of patient-reported outcomes, the authors said patient perceptions should be treated as equally valid when assessing symptoms, function and quality of life, helping ensure that cancer research delivers value that resonates with patients themselves.