Systemic therapy clinical trial participation in patients with bladder and kidney cancers.
Authors: Wells Connor , Nally Elizabeth , Jackson-Spence Francesca , Coca Sara , Westerman Tanith , Young Matthew Nicholas , Szabados Bernadett Emma , Powles Thomas 
Published: February 2025

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Background:
Patient participation in clinical trials has led to numerous treatment advances in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and urothelial carcinoma (UC) over the past decade. The rate of patient participation in RCC and UC trials and factors influencing participation are unknown. This study evaluates patient participation rates in RCC and UC clinical trials at a major United Kingdom cancer centre.
Methods:
All referrals to St Bartholomew’s Hospital (SBH) Genitourinary Cancer Department between Jan 2020 to Sept 2022 were reviewed. Patients with RCC or UC of any stage were included. Dates of consultation and follow up visits were cross-referenced with a list of systemic therapy clinical trials open at SBH from Jan 2020 to Oct 2024. The proportion of patients who a) had a trial available to them, b) entered trial screening, and c) were eligible for a trial, was determined. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to assess the likelihood of clinical trial screening and enrolment with adjustment for relevant baseline variables (age, cancer type, gender, line of therapy, and performance status [PS]).
Results:
403 patients were included in the analysis: 215 RCC (44% stage I-III and 60% had or developed metastatic disease) and 188 UC (41% stage I-III and 69% had or developed metastatic disease). 63% (254/403) of patients had at least one eligibility opportunity to be screened for a trial during the follow up. 40% (161/403) consented to trial screening, and 30% (118/403) were enrolled into at least one trial. The table shows trial availability, screening, and enrolment by line of therapy (rates were similar between RCC and UC, data not shown). Variables associated with increased odds of entering trial screening were line of therapy (second line odds ratio (OR) 8.6 (2.3-31.8), p<0.01, third line OR 3.4 (1.3-9.0) p=0.02, compared to adjuvant) and UC vs RCC trials OR 2.4 (1.3-4.3) p<0.01. Poor PS decreased the odds of entering trial screening (OR 0.21 (0.1-0.5) p<0.01). Gender and age were not associated with screening rates. No variables were associated with trial enrolment after a patient had consented to screening.
Conclusions:
At a major UK clinical trial centre, 40% of patients with RCC or UC entered clinical trial screening and 30% participated. Most patient characteristics were not associated with increased screening except for PS. Screening rates were higher in later line treatment studies. The effect of ethnicity and randomisation will be presented at the meeting. These data highlight patient willingness to screen for trials when they are available.

Clinical trial availability, screening rates, and enrollment rates by line of therapy for patients with RCC and UC.

Neo/Adjuvant
1L
2L
3/4L

Trial Available
45% (86/248)
58% (151/259)
34% (35/104)
66% (40/60)

Screened
56% (48/86)
52% (78/151)
91% (32/35)
83% (33/40)

Enrolled
73% (35/48)
68% (53/78)
63% (20/32)
82% (27/33)