Dr Garmezy on the Treatment of Patients With Cancer in the Community Setting

Benjamin Garmezy, MD, medical oncologist assistant director, Genitourinary Research, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Tennessee Oncology, discusses the treatment of patients with cancer in the community care setting, highlighting the need to include those from this population in enrollment to clinical trials.

In the community setting, the absence of government funding for clinical trials compels an evaluation of trial protocols, Garmezy begins. These considerations include the financial feasibility, potential impact on clinic flow, and the commitment level of sub-investigators and principal investigators, Garmezy explains. This unique challenge prompts a thorough assessment to ensure that specific trials align not only with scientific goals but also with the practical and financial realities of the community setting, he emphasizes.

Operating across a network of diverse sites nationwide introduces additional layers of complexity, Garmezy continues. Each site possesses distinct capabilities and restrictions, he notes. This necessitates a keen understanding of the operational nuances at each site to optimize a trial's execution, Garmezy says. Collaboration with pharmaceutical and biotech partners, as well as academic centers, involves detailed discussions with steering committees, he adds. These conversations are instrumental in articulating the capabilities of each site, elucidating their proficiency with different drugs, and outlining how this integrates into their operational flows, Garmezy elucidates.

A notable advantage in the community setting lies in the access to electronic medical records across participating sites, he expands. This unique visibility provides a comprehensive understanding of where patients, such as those with kidney conditions, receive treatment, Garmezy states. Moreover, it allows for the tracking of their therapeutic journeys, encompassing various lines of therapies and treatments, he says. Leveraging these data allows for critical guidance for companies and academic colleagues in the strategic selection of sites for their trials, Garmezy notes. This collaborative approach enhances the trial's success potential by aligning it with the specific capabilities and patient populations present in diverse community settings, he concludes.