Dr Jones on Communication Between Community and Academic Oncologists in Cancer Care

Robin Jones, MD, MRCP, consultant medical oncologist, professor, Medical Oncology, head Sarcoma Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, discusses the importance of communication between community and academic oncologists in cancer care, highlighting the impact of multidisciplinary communication.

Effective communication between academic centers and community oncologists holds paramount importance, particularly in the landscape of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) research, Jones begins. The nature of GIST calls for community oncologists to proactively engage with academic institutions to explore available clinical trials that encompass the spectrum of promising novel agents and treatment approaches emerging in the field of GIST management, he states.

The evolving treatment paradigm presents an opportunity to offer patients innovative treatments, making it essential to initiate discussions about clinical trial participation, especially for those experiencing disease progression, he explains. For instance, the phase 3 Peak trial (NCT05208047) is investigating the TKI bezuclastinib (CGT9486) in combination with sunitinib (Sutent) vs sunitinib monotherapy in patients with GIST. However, part 2 of this trial is not open to patients who have received therapies beyond first-line imatinib (Gleevec), which highlights the importance of clinical trial awareness when considering treatment sequencing for patients with GIST.

New drugs, including the Peak regimen under investigation, may broaden the range of treatment options available to patients, he explains. However, despite the optimistic trajectory of current developments, challenges persist. The prevalence of community oncology practices, although beneficial for widespread health care access, poses logistical challenges for patients seeking trial participation at the academic centers Jones says. Geographical constraints may impede some patients from traveling to specialized centers offering treatments through clinical trials, he notes. Jones goes on to say that, nevertheless, there is a positive outlook regarding recruitment to the Peak trial that draws inspiration from previous successes in enrolling patients in other second-line trials.

Recognizing the historical scarcity of clinical trials in the GIST landscape, the current surge in opportunities signifies a turning point in treatment, he continues. The excitement surrounding ongoing trials and their innovative combination therapy approaches underscores the importance of effective communication regarding these trials, he imparts. Proactively spreading awareness about trials within the medical community and among patients and health care providers can illuminate the potential for a novel second-line treatment for patients with GIST. This multifaceted approach aims to bridge the communication gap between academic and community settings as well as address logistical challenges, ultimately contributing to the successful execution and impact of clinical trials, Jones concludes.