Correlative complexity: Insights into correlative management at a large academic cancer center

Clinical trials are becoming increasingly complex to operate at an organizational level. Hidden complexities arise from industry's shift towards precision medicine and personalized therapies, which require a closer examination of organizational processes that no longer align with current demands. Maintaining a diverse clinical trial portfolio is crucial for providing patients with a range of treatment options.

Rates of increasing trial complexity were tracked using a system to unify staff processes and streamline clinical trial correlative operations. Quarterly data were compiled from departmental inventory counts, organizational movement reports from Slope, and usage across disease centers and community sites. Data was aggregated and reviewed alongside standardized laboratory tracking to identify trends.

Required trial correlative samples demand significant time from staff. Tasks often overlap and intersect within the lab, requiring detailed communication surrounding correlatives. Standardizing processes for trial notification, inventory correlative kits on site, and specimen tracking improves communication and optimizes staff time dedicated to trial correlatives.

Correlative kits are hidden variables that integrate trial experience and organizational financial costs. As clinical trial complexity increases, diverse tools that enable a more nimble approach to data capture are needed to maintain stability despite growing variables. By harmonizing organizational data, technology systems, and streamlined processes, decisions can be made that lead to optimized staff time, diverse solutions, improved process sharing across organizations, and ultimately enhance the overall patient trial experience.