ICON plc, a world-leading clinical research organisation powered by healthcare intelligence, has announced the findings from a recent survey of over 100 professionals engaged in oncology drug development. This survey aimed to assess the current state of emerging oncology treatment development, including the dynamics of associated clinical trials. Respondents indicated that there is significant focus on emerging oncology treatments; however, opinions vary regarding the extent to which these precision approaches will enhance patient outcomes.
Globally, substantial investments are made in cancer research, with approximately US$24.5 billion invested from 2016 to 2020. The growing understanding of the complexities surrounding various cancer types has led to the development of several innovative biological approaches to cancer treatment. These include mRNA and non-mRNA-based vaccines, oncolytic virus therapy, and CAR T-cell or NK cell therapy. Many of these emerging modalities have progressed into increasingly complex clinical trials within a crowded, precision-dominated landscape.
Despite the influx of innovative therapies, the oncology field has not yet seen a singular breakthrough. Instead, it is characterised by a diverse array of therapeutic options. In line with this, 85% of survey respondents reported that they are pursuing multiple therapeutic approaches in their development pipelines. Furthermore, 68% indicated that they are testing at least one combination therapy.
Survey results reveal varied opinions among respondents about the potential impact of these treatments on patient outcomes during this developmental stage. While 37% expressed optimism that patients would experience significantly improved outcomes in the future, 43% suggested that improvements would be modest or minimal. Additionally, one in five respondents predicted that patient outcomes would not improve. This disparity likely reflects the staggered approach oncologists are employing with new therapies, indicating that time is necessary to evaluate their true impact.
Andreas Dreps, Senior Vice President and Head of Oncology and Immunology Drug Development at ICON, stated, “This survey underscores the ongoing investment sponsors are making in developing new oncology treatments. The outlook regarding future impact is varied due to considerations such as development stage, anticipated clinical benefits, treatment accessibility, and integration into current standard care protocols. As potential therapy combinations increase, identifying the optimal therapeutic modality becomes increasingly challenging. This highlights the necessity for robust clinical development programmes that address the complexities sponsors face from scientific, regulatory, and commercial perspectives.”
Respondents identified site selection and phase 2 or 3 stage development as prevalent R&D challenges. They also suggested ways to enhance drug development, with predictive biomarkers (47%), innovative clinical trial designs (42%), and early biomarker identification (41%) being the top three recommendations.
Chris Smyth, President of ICON Biotech, stated, Biotechnology companies are essential in driving forward the development of oncology therapeutics. The increasingly diverse and sophisticated landscape adds complexity to clinical development and commercialisation. Partnership and collaboration will be critical in navigating these challenges. At ICON, we aim to serve as an end-to-end partner to support the effective translation of these therapeutic approaches into clinical practice.”
Developing successful oncology treatments using these emerging modalities presents unique challenges. In its latest whitepaper, titled “De-risking Clinical Development of Precision Medicines in Oncology,” ICON highlights strategies for oncology therapeutic developers to navigate this competitive landscape. These strategies include leveraging AI, enhancing collaboration between partners and trial sites, innovating clinical trial designs, and incorporating predictive biomarkers.
