The word ‘cancer’ looms fear and uncertainty in the minds of people. This statement has a certain degree of validation with cancer having advanced as the number one cause of fatality in Japan. Although cancer mortality has declined in the young population, the mortality rates have significantly risen among the elderly population. The last decade however, has brought in a significant breakthrough in cancer research with new diagnostic techniques and treatment. 3H has been facilitating the growth of clinical studies in oncology and 3H’s ‘Oncolo’ website is very popular among the public.

Challenges in Recruitment in Oncology Studies: Oncology clinical trials are long, complex with many challenges in patient recruitment. Enrolments into oncology clinical trials are low in comparison to other therapeutic areas and there are many practical reasons behind it.

·     Awareness: This is a disease more prevalent in the aged population. They might have limited information on clinical trials available in their local area. This causes recruitment to fall. 3H has understood this and the ‘oncolo’ website caters to both the young and adult population.

·     Study Presentation: Socio-economic background of patients, demographic factors such as age, being part of an ethnic minority together with lack of a comprehensive health insurance policy reduces subject participation in clinical trials. In addition, the manner in which the study protocol is presented to study subjects is a decisive factor whether patients would participate or not. Rigid clinical trial designs as well as practical issues like stringent exclusion criteria, makes it difficult for willing patients too, to enrol into the study. Unmarried patients also show reluctance to come forward in fear of their identity being disclosed. 3H believes in having patient centric protocols and flexible study designs to enable patient participation.

Communication barriers could arise when there is lack of cultural relevance to a specific naïve target population. Asian populations tend to have many dialects of language and if communication is unclear in the said cultural context then subjects may decline participation.

·     Public Perception: Mistrust and fear lies in the minds of the public towards clinical trials, with clinical trials being negatively highlighted by media. This puts further strain on getting individuals to participate in clinical trials. In addition, bad experiences of friends and relatives put away individuals from joining trials. Uncertainty about allocation of treatment, duration, loss of income and nature of intervention too are other factors which keep individuals from participating in cancer clinical trials. 3H has changed the negative perception towards clinical trials by spreading awareness about clinical trials and the disease condition of cancer.

·     Language & Culture: Communication barriers could arise when there is lack of cultural relevance to a specific naïve target population. Asian populations tend to have many dialects of language and if communication is unclear in the said cultural context then subjects may decline participation. Discussions between the investigator and the subject on informed consenting and other patient related outcomes should be clear. 3H ensures clinical trials are run by a trained and well experienced clinical trial staff.

·     Decision Making: Unlike Western nations, Asian countries have their families too involved in decision making. Cancer which is seen by society with a heavy heart, involves family too in the decision making process.

‘Oncolo’ Website by 3H makes a difference: The ‘Oncolo’ website established in 2015 by 3H, includes the voices of patient advocacy groups as well as renowned cancer specialists who raise awareness of the disease. It also educates the public on currently recruiting clinical trials, important oncology events, latest cancer research as well as diagnostic procedures and treatment making it a great platform to gain awareness. A platform such as ‘Oncolo’ is very useful in the case of rare cancers where treatment information is limited and scare. This website is patient friendly and well organise making it very easy to surf on any cancer topic.It is not just a popular platform among cancer patients and their families but also popular among pharmaceutical representatives and health professionals. ‘Oncolo’ has provided a support system for cancer survivors to share and care about one another with an open platform to engage in discussions and learn more about the disease. With the high footfall on this website, 3H has been able to actively enroll potential patients successfully into the ongoing oncology clinical trials.

3H Facilitates Oncology Trials: 3H has facilitated the conduct of clinical trials for rare cancers. The ‘Oncolo’ website has paved the pathway in effectively recruiting subjects nationwide across 15 clinical trial sites. This website has helped in running an effective recruitment advertising campaign to target individuals with this rare cancer by providing educative material about this rare cancer and available treatment options.

3H facilitates all forms of cancer research. In yet another quantitative research done to understand the disease awareness in patients undergoing cancer treatment, it was seen that nearly 90% of the patients had experienced anxiety at least once and 65.5% were in pain at least once. 41.7% participants mentioned that they were not being treated for the anxiety episodes. Solving pain and anxiety remains key in cancer treatment as this disease requires long term treatment, which is necessary in improving the current scenario. It’s only by addressing such gaps and concerns that clinical trial results can be improved.

3H has merged medical skills with technology and is moving forward with fresh aspirations and hope for cancer patients in Japan.

To know more about 3H approach for clinical trial in Asia, please contact imran@3h-ms.co.jp