Scott Moerdler1, Lindy Zhang2, Elena Gerasimov3, Chong Zhu4, Tamar Wolinsky5, Michael Roth6, Nancy Goodman3, Daniel A Weiser4,7. 1. Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Jersey, New Brunswick. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children's Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. 3. Kids v Cancer, Washington, District of Columbia. 4. Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Marrow and Blood Cell Transplantation, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York. 5. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York. 6. Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas, Houston. 7. Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Targeted cancer treatments are almost always first studied in adults, even when there is a biologically plausible potential for efficacy in children. Through compassionate use programs, children who are not eligible for a clinical trial and for whom there are no known effective therapies may obtain access to investigational agents, including drugs under development for adults. However, little is known about pediatric oncologists' experiences with applying for and obtaining compassionate use agents. METHODS: This study surveyed 132 pediatric oncologists to assess awareness and utilization of compassionate use programs, to identify barriers to their use, and to evaluate available institutional support and resources. RESULTS: We found that the process of applying for access to drugs in development is poorly understood, which presents a barrier to obtaining investigational drugs. Fifty-seven percent of the pediatric oncologists applied for compassionate use. Providers from larger institutions or with more than 15 years of clinical experience were more likely to complete an application and obtain investigational agents for their patients. CONCLUSION: Identified perceived and actual barriers to compassionate use application submission suggest pediatric oncologists may benefit from educational resources and support to ensure children with cancer equal access to investigational agents and care.
BACKGROUND: Targeted cancer treatments are almost always first studied in adults, even when there is a biologically plausible potential for efficacy in children. Through compassionate use programs, children who are not eligible for a clinical trial and for whom there are no known effective therapies may obtain access to investigational agents, including drugs under development for adults. However, little is known about pediatric oncologists' experiences with applying for and obtaining compassionate use agents. METHODS: This study surveyed 132 pediatric oncologists to assess awareness and utilization of compassionate use programs, to identify barriers to their use, and to evaluate available institutional support and resources. RESULTS: We found that the process of applying for access to drugs in development is poorly understood, which presents a barrier to obtaining investigational drugs. Fifty-seven percent of the pediatric oncologists applied for compassionate use. Providers from larger institutions or with more than 15 years of clinical experience were more likely to complete an application and obtain investigational agents for their patients. CONCLUSION: Identified perceived and actual barriers to compassionate use application submission suggest pediatric oncologists may benefit from educational resources and support to ensure children with cancer equal access to investigational agents and care.
Authors: David S Shulman; Lulla V Kiwinda; Stacey Edwards; Catherine M Clinton; Sarah Hunt; Lianne Greenspan; Kristen D Lawler; Gregory Reaman; Hasan Al-Sayegh; Kira Bona; Allison F O'Neill; Suzanne Shusterman; Katherine A Janeway; Andrew E Place; Susan N Chi; Clement Ma; Steven G DuBois Journal: Cancer Med Date: 2021-03-09 Impact factor: 4.711
Authors: Jeremiah Stout; Cambray Smith; Jan Buckner; Alex A Adjei; Mark Wentworth; Jon C Tilburt; Zubin Master Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-12-17 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Cambray Smith; Jeremiah Stout; Alex A Adjei; Jan Buckner; Mark Wentworth; Jon Tilburt; Zubin Master Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Date: 2021-06-01 Impact factor: 13.506