Optimizing eCOA In Oncology Trials: Patient-Focused Data Capture For Cancer Research

Oncology dominates global clinical research, representing the largest therapeutic area with more than 20 million new cases annually and a rapidly expanding trial pipeline. Breast, lung, and colorectal cancers account for nearly 40% of all oncology trials, which frequently investigate targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and biomarker-driven treatments. While overall survival and progression-free survival remain gold-standard endpoints, regulators now emphasize patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to capture treatment tolerability, quality of life, and functional status.

However, traditional eCOA systems often underperform in oncology. Cancer patients—frequently older, cognitively burdened by chemotherapy (“chemo brain”), or managing complex treatment regimens—face unique challenges that result in 30–50% missing data during critical assessments. Conventional platforms designed for stable chronic conditions fail to account for fatigue, cognitive impairment, and caregiver involvement, compromising endpoint integrity. To address these gaps, adaptive eCOA approaches are emerging. Tools like the EORTC QLQ-C30 and its disease-specific modules remain foundational, but success depends on patient-centric delivery. Provisioned tablets with simplified navigation, caregiver integration, multilingual validation, and EHR integration improve usability while maintaining regulatory compliance. By supporting both survival measures and PROs, next-generation eCOA platforms enable oncology trials to capture a holistic view of patient outcomes.