Age Is Just a Number: Considerations for Older Adults in Cancer Clinical Trials

Abstract

Older adults continue to be underrepresented in cancer clinical trials, despite most cancer occurrence peaking in the later decades of life. Consequently, diagnostic and management strategies are commonly extrapolated from data on younger patients, thus challenging the delivery of informed cancer care in this patient population. Several recommendations and calls to action have been released by cancer societies, advocacy organizations, and regulatory agencies to guide inclusion of older adults in clinical trials. Effective implementation, however, requires awareness and close collaboration between all stakeholders involved in the clinical trial journey. We herein provide insights and experience from a drug developer on key considerations to optimize participation and retention of older adults in cancer clinical trials and discuss those under 4 key domains: trial eligibility and design, assessments and endpoints, patients and oncologists, and data reporting.