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Clinical trials in cancer. Part I. Biomedical, complementary, and alternative medicine: finding active trials and
1Office of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA. leeco@mail.nih.gov
Abstract:
Most cancer CAM clinical trials are treatment or supportive care trials in phase I, II, or III status. A recent search showed that, at present, a very limited number of retrievable pharmaceutical- or industry-sponsored cancer CAM clinical trials is listed in publicly accessible databases. Two databases, Center Watch and Trial Check, focus on industry, healthcare providers, and patient advocate groups and have fees or limited access. As more clinical trials are imported from NLM's Clinical Trials.gov to NCI's PDQ database, more cancer CAM trials will be accessible and free to the public. Published results from clinical trials are available in multiple locations and retrievable with advanced searching but remain of limited access to most of the public because of academic or hospital library subscription services. All cancer clinical trial results are not likely to be housed in one location (either via database or in print); thus, cancer CAM clinical trial results likely will not be either. Because PDQ currently is the central location for cancer CAM clinical trial listings in the United States, the database should be expanded to include published results that are retrievable by healthcare professionals and the lay public free of charge. In clinical and research roles, oncology nurses are compelled to keep abreast of advances in cancer care, especially in the realm of cancer clinical trials. Keeping abreast of results of cancer CAM clinical trials is vital for oncology nurses in patient education, advocacy, and advancement of evidence-based practice.
Insights
Most cancer complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) clinical trials are difficult to find in public databases. Expanding the National Cancer Institute
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Background:
- Limited accessibility of pharmaceutical- or industry-sponsored cancer CAM clinical trials in public databases.
- Existing databases like Center Watch and Trial Check have restricted access or fees.
- Published trial results are often behind paywalls, hindering public access.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current accessibility of cancer CAM clinical trials and their results.
- To identify improvements needed for public and professional access to trial information.
- To highlight the importance of accessible trial data for oncology nurses.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of publicly accessible databases for cancer CAM clinical trials.
- Review of accessibility issues for trial listings and published results.
- Examination of the role of the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) PDQ database.
Main Results:
- A scarcity of retrievable industry-sponsored cancer CAM clinical trials in public databases.
- PDQ database is a central, free resource for cancer CAM trial listings in the US.
- Published results are fragmented and often inaccessible due to subscription services.
Conclusions:
- The PDQ database should be expanded to include free, accessible published results for cancer CAM clinical trials.
- Enhanced accessibility is crucial for healthcare professionals, especially oncology nurses, for patient education and evidence-based practice.
- Increased accessibility will support informed decision-making in cancer care.
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