Redesigning Oncology Trials: Why It’s Time to Rethink Access, Engagement, and Delivery

The clinical research world has made tremendous strides over the past decade. Yet one problem stubbornly persists in oncological trials: less than 5% of cancer patients globally ever take part in clinical trials. There's a missing link in cancer research.

Despite growing awareness, investments in R&D, and an expanding portfolio of approved therapies, oncology trial participation remains limited and often constrained by the very systems meant to enable it.

At FutureMeds, we believe it’s time for a reset. That’s why we developed a community-based, patient-centric model for oncology trials, blending the reliability of dedicated research sites with the flexibility of decentralised elements.

Our approach was recently recognised among the Top 5 Oncology Poster Finalists at SCRS Oncology in Atlanta, and today, we’re proud to share our thinking in a new whitepaper: Community-Based Patient Engagement – The Missing Link in Cancer Research

The Problem: A System Built for Yesterday

Traditional hospital-based oncology trials often face limitations that restrict access, slow recruitment, and reduce real-world applicability. Among the most common challenges:

Staff shortages and overburdened clinicians are struggling to balance patient care and research
Lack of trial awareness among physicians and patients outside major urban centres
Barriers to participation, from logistics and travel to fear of experimentation

These issues are not new, and yet, participation rates haven’t budged for decades. It’s clear, as an industry, we need to search for a new approach that complements, rather than replaces, existing systems.

Our Answer: A Community-Based Oncology Model

Our whitepaper introduces a patient-first delivery model built around dedicated research sites supported by decentralised capabilities. It’s designed to:

Reach broader, more diverse populations through enhanced community engagement capabilities
Ease the burden on oncologists by reducing administrative complexity and providing centralised support
Incorporate DCT elements like home nursing, remote monitoring, and flexible scheduling

At its core, this model is about removing friction. Making participation easier, information clearer, and access more equitable.

What We’ve Seen So Far

Our early results are promising. At our site in Krakow, FutureMeds became the second-highest global recruiter in an oncology trial, randomising 12 patients in under 12 months. This progress, delivered outside the traditional hospital-based setting, demonstrates what’s possible when community-based engagement is paired with a strong operational model.

We’ve also expanded our oncology footprint, gaining experience in breast and lung cancers, and are now actively growing into solid tumours, melanoma, and haemato-oncology. Across all indications, the goal remains the same: to help more patients access life-changing therapies when time matters most.

Why It Matters Now

We believe that sustainable impact in clinical research comes from creating models that are fit for the future. Models that connect patients, physicians, and sponsors in ways that are meaningful, scalable, and effective.

If you’re planning an oncology trial or looking to reach new patient populations across Europe, we’d love to show you how our model can support your goals.