scholarly journals A Permissioned Blockchain-Based Clinical Trial Service Platform to Improve Trial Data Transparency

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Lei Hang ◽  
BumHwi Kim ◽  
KyuHyung Kim ◽  
DoHyeun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Data Privacy ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Data Transparency ◽  
Distinct Features ◽  
Patient Enrollment

The clinical research faces numerous challenges, from patient enrollment to data privacy concerns and regulatory requirements to spiraling costs. Blockchain technology has the potential to overcome these challenges, thus making clinical trials transparent and enhancing public trust in a fair and open process with all stakeholders because of its distinct features such as data immutability and transparency. This paper proposes a permissioned blockchain platform to ensure clinical data transparency and provides secure clinical trial-related solutions. We explore the core functionalities of blockchain applied to clinical trials and illustrate its general principle concretely. These clinical trial operations are automated using the smart contract, which ensures traceability, prevents a posteriori reconstruction, and securely automates the clinical trial. A web-based user interface is also implemented to visualize the data from the blockchain and ease the interaction with the blockchain network. A proof of concept is implemented on Hyperledger Fabric in the case study of clinical management for multiple clinical trials to demonstrate the designed approach’s feasibility. Lastly, the experiment results demonstrate the efficiency and usability of the proposed platform.

scholarly journals Awareness and Opinions of Research Professionals on India's New Drug and Clinical Trials Regulations: Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey Study

10.2196/14744 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e14744
Author(s):  
Vishal Vennu ◽  
Saurabh Dahiya
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Google Docs ◽  
New Drug ◽  
Research Professionals

Background Although several studies have been conducted and several articles have been published on India's new clinical trial regulations, very few have examined the views of investigators and ethics board members regarding modifications to the previous regulations. Overall, they have neglected to find out the opinions of other relevant professionals, such as research assistants, coordinators, associates, and managers. To our knowledge, no study has yet investigated the awareness and opinions of Indian research professionals on the new 2019 regulations. Objective This study aims to describe the awareness and opinions of Indian research professionals on the new drug and clinical trial regulations. Methods In this cross-sectional, Web-based study, we will conduct an open survey for various Indian research professionals. These professionals will be selected randomly using multiple sources. The survey questionnaires, which have already been validated, were developed using the form function in Google docs. A Web link was generated for participants to take the survey. Descriptive statistics will be shown as means and standard deviations for constant variables, whereas certain variables will instead be shown as numbers and percentages. Results The survey was opened in July 2019. Enrollment has already started and will be completed in three months. The results calculations are expected to begin in October 2019. Conclusions The results of the survey are expected to represent the views of research professionals on the new regulations that will support the development of clinical research and the pharmaceutical industry in India. These regulations are expected to help advance clinical trials, help with the approval of new drugs, and enhance ethical norms in the country. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/14744

Adaptive Learning of Drug Quality and Optimization of Patient Recruitment for Clinical Trials with Dropouts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhili Tian ◽  
Weidong Han ◽  
Warren B. Powell
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Dynamic Programming ◽  
Value Function ◽  
Standard Treatment ◽  
Treatment Effectiveness ◽  
Interim Analyses ◽  
Clinical Trial Program ◽  
Patient Enrollment ◽  
The Value Function

Problem definition: Clinical trials are crucial to new drug development. This study investigates optimal patient enrollment in clinical trials with interim analyses, which are analyses of treatment responses from patients at intermediate points. Our model considers uncertainties in patient enrollment and drug treatment effectiveness. We consider the benefits of completing a trial early and the cost of accelerating a trial by maximizing the net present value of drug cumulative profit. Academic/practical relevance: Clinical trials frequently account for the largest cost in drug development, and patient enrollment is an important problem in trial management. Our study develops a dynamic program, accurately capturing the dynamics of the problem, to optimize patient enrollment while learning the treatment effectiveness of an investigated drug. Methodology: The model explicitly captures both the physical state (enrolled patients) and belief states about the effectiveness of the investigated drug and a standard treatment drug. Using Bayesian updates and dynamic programming, we establish monotonicity of the value function in state variables and characterize an optimal enrollment policy. We also introduce, for the first time, the use of backward approximate dynamic programming (ADP) for this problem class. We illustrate the findings using a clinical trial program from a leading firm. Our study performs sensitivity analyses of the input parameters on the optimal enrollment policy. Results: The value function is monotonic in cumulative patient enrollment and the average responses of treatment for the investigated drug and standard treatment drug. The optimal enrollment policy is nondecreasing in the average response from patients using the investigated drug and is nonincreasing in cumulative patient enrollment in periods between two successive interim analyses. The forward ADP algorithm (or backward ADP algorithm) exploiting the monotonicity of the value function reduced the run time from 1.5 months using the exact method to a day (or 20 minutes) within 4% of the exact method. Through an application to a leading firm’s clinical trial program, the study demonstrates that the firm can have a sizable gain of drug profit following the optimal policy that our model provides. Managerial implications: We developed a new model for improving the management of clinical trials. Our study provides insights of an optimal policy and insights into the sensitivity of value function to the dropout rate and prior probability distribution. A firm can have a sizable gain in the drug’s profit by managing its trials using the optimal policies and the properties of value function. We illustrated that firms can use the ADP algorithms to develop their patient enrollment strategies.

Architecture of an Integrated Collaboration Portal for Clinical Trial

2015 ◽  
pp. 127-162
Author(s):  
Partha Chakraborty
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Development Cost ◽  
Training Activities ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Key Events ◽  
Document Review ◽  
Patient Enrollment ◽  
And Training ◽  
Clinical Trial Activity

Collaboration is defined as the actions for individuals and teams to work together for a common goal. There are several bottlenecks to an efficient and effective collaborative model of clinical trial including: the lack of a centralized, consistent, globally accessible platform to manage and store essential study related documentation; inconsistent or incomplete work assignments; inefficient notification of key events requiring follow-on action; and incomplete, missing, expired, or redundant documentation and training activities and need to maintain multiple credential to access various system, Removing these barriers is an important part of establishing an environment that fosters collaboration among all constituencies involved in managing clinical trial keeping them connected, informed, and on task by providing access to everyone at any time, from anywhere.The case study below introduces need of an integrated clinical collaboration platform, addressing key functionality of such an platform and describes the architecture & design consideration to industrialize such a platform. The intended audience of this case study is the architects & designers of similar systems. The clinical trial activity for a drug in research is approximately 70% of the overall drug development cost. It is estimated that 4% of the cost of a trial is in 'rework' involving communication, regulatory issues, patient enrollment, document review and replacement of patients. The integrated clinical collaboration platform has potential to eliminate significant amount of cost of re-work, which is in order of $3.5M per trial.

Data Security in Clinical Trials Using Blockchain Technology

2021 ◽  
pp. 250-268
Author(s):  
Marta de-Melo-Diogo ◽  
Jorge Tavares ◽  
Ângelo Nunes Luís
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Data Security ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
The Other ◽  
Clinical Trial Setting ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Current Utilization ◽  
Trial Setting

Blockchain technology in a clinical trial setting is a valuable asset due to decentralization, immutability, transparency, and traceability features. For this chapter, a literature review was conducted to map the current utilization of blockchain systems in clinical trials, particularly data security managing systems and their characteristics, such as applicability, interests of use, limitations, and issues. The advantages of data security are producing a more transparent and tamper-proof clinical trial by providing accurate, validated data, therefore producing a more reliable and credible clinical trial. On the other hand, data integrity is a critical issue since data obtained from trials are not instantly made public to all participants. Work needs to be done to establish the significant implications in security data when applying blockchain technology in a real-world clinical trial setting and generalized conditions of use to establish its security.

scholarly journals Awareness and Opinions of Research Professionals on India's New Drug and Clinical Trials Regulations: Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vishal Vennu ◽  
Saurabh Dahiya
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Google Docs ◽  
New Drug ◽  
Research Professionals

BACKGROUND Although several studies have been conducted and several articles have been published on India's new clinical trial regulations, very few have examined the views of investigators and ethics board members regarding modifications to the previous regulations. Overall, they have neglected to find out the opinions of other relevant professionals, such as research assistants, coordinators, associates, and managers. To our knowledge, no study has yet investigated the awareness and opinions of Indian research professionals on the new 2019 regulations. OBJECTIVE This study aims to describe the awareness and opinions of Indian research professionals on the new drug and clinical trial regulations. METHODS In this cross-sectional, Web-based study, we will conduct an open survey for various Indian research professionals. These professionals will be selected randomly using multiple sources. The survey questionnaires, which have already been validated, were developed using the form function in Google docs. A Web link was generated for participants to take the survey. Descriptive statistics will be shown as means and standard deviations for constant variables, whereas certain variables will instead be shown as numbers and percentages. RESULTS The survey was opened in July 2019. Enrollment has already started and will be completed in three months. The results calculations are expected to begin in October 2019. CONCLUSIONS The results of the survey are expected to represent the views of research professionals on the new regulations that will support the development of clinical research and the pharmaceutical industry in India. These regulations are expected to help advance clinical trials, help with the approval of new drugs, and enhance ethical norms in the country. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/14744

scholarly journals Use of a Blockchain-Based Marketplace to Incentivize Participation in Virtual Clinical Trials

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Phillip Olla ◽  
Mustafa Taher Abumeeiz ◽  
Lauren Kay Elliott ◽  
Vijay Rajasekar ◽  
Stephen Bartol
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Research Participation ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Incentive System ◽  
Detailed Report ◽  
Online Marketplace ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Physical Interactions ◽  
Trial Participants

There is an emerging need for advancements in how clinical trials are conducted in the current pandemic situation. Healthcare institutions are moving towards using digital technologies to avoid physical interactions between doctors and clinical trial participants. However, difficulties in recruiting and retaining participants are still prevalent. To overcome this issue, an incentive system that can be trusted by doctors as well as trial participants is required. The authors present a detailed report of Cashish, a blockchain-based incentivization system that rewards trial participants in the form of cryptocurrency tokens that they can utilize in an online marketplace that is also backed by the same blockchain. Usage of blockchain technology to provide research participation incentives eliminates the need for trust systems and ensures transparency between doctors and clinical trial participants, while ensuring participant anonymity.

Randomized trial of a web-based intervention to address barriers to clinical trials.

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6500-6500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neal J. Meropol ◽  
Terrance Lynn Albrecht ◽  
Yu-Ning Wong ◽  
Al Bowen Benson ◽  
Joanne S. Buzaglo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Trial ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
College Education ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Attitudinal Barriers

6500 Background: Cancer patients (pts) have knowledge and attitudinal barriers to participation in clinical trials (CT). We developed PRE-ACT (Preparatory Education About Clinical Trials), a tailored, interactive, web-based intervention to address these barriers and improve preparation for consideration of CT as a treatment option. Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized, multicenter, phase III clinical trial of PRE-ACT vs. control (general text about CT excerpted from NCI materials). All assessments and interventions were conducted online. Cancer pts >18 years old were enrolled before initial oncologist consultation. Pts completed a baseline assessment including CT knowledge (19-item); CT attitudes (28-item); preparation for decision making (10-item); and validated measures of preferences for shared decision making and quality/length of life. PRE-ACT pts received a summary of their preferences and a list of their top CT barriers. Based on ranking of individual barriers, pts were presented with a video library of 30-90 second clips addressing their top barriers (10 maximum). After the educational intervention a follow up survey reassessed CT barriers and preparation. Results: 1255 pts were randomized; median age 59 (range 20-88); 58% female; 12% non-white / 2% Hispanic; 76.4% some college education. 1081 pts completed baseline and post-intervention assessments. The control and PRE-ACT groups both had improved knowledge, reduced attitudinal barriers, and improved preparation (p<.0001 for all comparisons). PRE-ACT was more effective than control in improving knowledge (p=.0006) and attitudes (p<.0001). Furthermore, pts in the PRE-ACT arm were more satisfied with the amount (p=.002) and format (<.0001) of information, and felt more prepared to consider CT (p=.0003). Conclusions: This large-scale randomized trial of a tailored, web-based, video intervention demonstrates that educational information delivered online before the oncologist visit can significantly reduce knowledge barriers and attitudinal barriers and improve preparation for consideration of clinical trials. Both text and PRE-ACT are effective, with greater improvements and satisfaction in the PRE-ACT group. Clinical trial information: NCT00750009.

FDA analysis of patient enrollment by region in clinical trials for approved oncological indications.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2539-2539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bindu Kanapuru ◽  
Harpreet Singh ◽  
Lola A. Fashoyin-Aje ◽  
Adrian Myers ◽  
Geoffrey Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
North America ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Malignant Solid Tumor ◽  
Trends Over Time ◽  
Clinical Trial Results ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Patient Enrollment

2539 Background: Clinical trials are increasingly conducted on a global scale in an effort to accelerate accrual. This analysis attempts to quantify and characterize participants in trials submitted to support approval of drugs for oncology indications by the region of enrollment. Methods: Demographic information was extracted for patients enrolled in clinical trials submitted to the FDA from 2005-2015. Only trials submitted to support approval for malignant solid tumor or hematology indications were included. Countries were grouped into regions for further analysis. A total of 178,024 patients with information regarding age and country were included in this analysis. Results: Forty five percent (80,460) of clinical trial participants were enrolled from Europe, 36% (63,958) from North America (includes U.S.A and Canada) and 8.4% (14,975) from Asia. Countries in Latin America, Middle East/Africa and the Baltic States/Russia enrolled the remainder 10.5% of the patients. Among 99,556 participants < 65 years of age; 38.7% (38,538) were enrolled from North America, 40.5% (40,362) from Europe, 9.7 % (9674) from Asia and 11% from the rest of the regions. Europe enrolled the highest number of cancer patients aged 65 years or older; 51.1% (40,098) compared to 32.4% (25,420) from North America and 6.8 % (5301) from Asia. Conclusions: Majority of patients enrolled into clinical trials submitted for oncology drug approvals were from regions other than North America, with highest number enrolled from Europe particularly in the older age group. While it is interesting to speculate, the reasons for differential enrollment of patients between Europe and North America and the impact of these findings on interpretation of clinical trial results need additional exploration. Analysis of trends over time may be useful to address this issue. [Table: see text]

Conception, Development, and Clinical Trial Design of Point-of-care Technologies: A Case of Improved FES Device Development

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-9
Author(s):  
Abhishek Biswas ◽  
C V Shendkar ◽  
Bikas K Arya ◽  
PK Lenka ◽  
Ratnesh Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Medical Device ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Clinical Trial Design ◽  
Trial Protocol ◽  
Trial Registry ◽  
Clinical Trial Registry ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration

Abstract Objective This article presents a case study on the development of an indigenous stimulator device, including the design of its clinical trials and the process of its clinical trial registration in the newly launched clinical trial registry- India (CTRI). The ethical and regulatory issues involved in medical device clinical trials in India are also discussed. Design and Methods The entire development and trial cycle of a new medical device from ideation to technology transfer is explained in this case of a newly developed indigenous FES device. The primary emphasis is on how to systematically analyse the global trial registry databases to adequately frame a medical device trial. With this case study, we present how to shortlist relevant trials; we then compare them and explain the valid methods for registering a trial protocol in the CTRI. Conclusions Our work can act as a model or guide for rehabilitation researchers in India, facilitating there work in the medical device design and trial protocol development. Though our trial has been designed for and registered in the Indian CTRI trial registry, our work can be equally useful for researchers abroad who desire to conduct their medical device trials in India.

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