University of Sussex
Browse

File(s) not publicly available

Reasons given by patients for participating, or not, in Phase 1 cancer trials

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 16:01 authored by Susan Catt, C.I Langridge, Lesley FallowfieldLesley Fallowfield, D. C. Talbot, Valerie JenkinsValerie Jenkins
Abstract Background: Communication with patients contemplating Phase 1 cancer trial participation can be challenging. Controversy exists as to whether they are provided with sufficient information to give genuinely informed consent. We present data examining the reasons patients gave for trial entry. Method: Following discussions with oncologists about Phase1 trials, participants completed a 19-item study specific ‘accept or decline measure’ exploring hope, expectations of benefit, altruism, concerns, and general perceptions of the trial information. They also completed 2 standardised questionnaires measuring psychological morbidity and predisposition towards optimism. Results: Forty patients completed the study questionnaires. Patients were generally optimistic with few concerns about the experimental nature of Phase 1 trials. Most 36/40 (90%) consented to trial entry. Fifty-one percent thought the trial was the only treatment option available. The four main reasons for trial entry were: expectation of some medical benefit (21%); trial the best available option (21%); to maintain hope (15%) and to help with research (13%). Only one patient gave altruism as their main reason for trial participation. Conclusion: Patients considering Phase 1 trials may be a self-selected group with optimistic expectations of personal benefit driving trial entry rather than altruism. Achieving genuinely informed consent and avoidance of therapeutic misconceptions in such patients may be difficult.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

European Journal of Cancer

ISSN

0959-8049

Publisher

Elsevier

Issue

10

Volume

47

Page range

1490-1497

Department affiliated with

  • Sussex Health Outcomes Research & Education in Cancer (SHORE-C) Publications

Notes

CODEN: EJCAE

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2011-08-26

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC