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Discontinuation and nonpublication of osteosarcoma clinical trials: a cross-sectional analysis of ClinicalTrials.gov
Mohammad Wadah Khriesat1, Miqdad Qandeel2, Abdullah Elrefae3
1Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK. Mohammad.khriesat@nhs.net.
Background:
Osteosarcoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy with limited therapeutic advances despite extensive clinical research. Discontinuation and failure to publish trial results contribute to research waste and may delay progress in patient care. We aimed to characterize osteosarcoma clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and evaluate factors associated with trial discontinuation and nonpublication.
Methods:
We performed a cross-sectional analysis of interventional osteosarcoma trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov as of July 1, 2025. Trial characteristics, including completion status, publication status, study design, funding source, trial phase, and enrollment size, were extracted. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with trial discontinuation and nonpublication.
Results:
Among 210 eligible trials, 62 (29.5%) were discontinued before completion, and only 26 (17.6%) had published results. Smaller trials were more frequently discontinued and unpublished compared with larger trials. Multicenter trials demonstrated higher publication rates and were independently associated with lower odds of nonpublication (OR = 0.291, 95% CI 0.098-0.859; p = 0.025). No significant associations were observed between funding source, intervention type, or trial phase and trial outcomes.
Conclusions:
Nearly one-third of osteosarcoma clinical trials are discontinued, and most completed trials lack published results, highlighting substantial research waste and limitations in evidence generation. Strengthening trial completion strategies, promoting multicenter collaboration, and improving transparency through mandatory results reporting may enhance the efficiency and impact of osteosarcoma research.
Insights
Many osteosarcoma clinical trials are discontinued or not published, leading to research waste. Multicenter collaboration and mandatory reporting can improve osteosarcoma research efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Clinical Trials Research
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Osteosarcoma is a rare, aggressive cancer with limited treatment progress.
- Clinical trial discontinuation and nonpublication represent significant research waste.
- Understanding factors influencing trial outcomes is crucial for advancing osteosarcoma care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze osteosarcoma clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- To identify factors associated with trial discontinuation and nonpublication.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 210 interventional osteosarcoma trials.
- Extracted data on trial completion, publication, design, funding, phase, and enrollment.
- Used multivariable logistic regression to identify associated factors.
Main Results:
- 29.5% of trials were discontinued; only 17.6% had published results.
- Smaller trials had higher discontinuation and nonpublication rates.
- Multicenter trials showed higher publication rates and lower odds of nonpublication (OR=0.291).
Conclusions:
- A significant portion of osteosarcoma trials are discontinued or unpublished, indicating research inefficiency.
- Promoting multicenter collaboration and mandatory results reporting is recommended.
- Improving trial completion and transparency is vital for osteosarcoma research impact.
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