Funding patient-reported outcomes in cancer clinical trials

We surveyed four cooperative groups to identify current funding sources for the collection and analysis effort associated with the inclusion of patient-reported outcome (PRO) data in cancer clinical trials. Survey questions included what proportion of staff effort was funded through the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) and the Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) grants. In addition, the groups were asked to what extent outside funding was solicited to cover an underfunded PRO effort (eg, the pharmaceutical industry, foundations, or National Institutes of Health grants). All four groups noted the challenge of making limited resources cover a number of trial responsibilities. PRO effort is usually bundled with effort required for all clinical trial data. There is variation in the use of the CTEP and CCOP grants to fund PRO research. The groups differed with respect to both the types and amount of outside funding used. This survey focused on funding sources for the conduct of PRO research in cooperative group trials; it did not assess the specific cost components associated with collecting and analyzing these data. In general, the costs for conducting PRO research have been bundled with other study costs because in most cases, the PRO has been considered an integral component of the trial. However, these data also suggest that PRO research has required the use of outside funding sources in the four surveyed cooperative groups and that PRO economic issues require attention if we are to continue the inclusion of these outcomes in cancer clinical trials.