Managing oncology clinical trials during COVID-19 pandemic
Roberto Jun Arai, Camila Motta Venchiarutti Moniz, André T. C. Chen, Milena Perez Mak, Roger Chammas, Paulo M. Hoff
Abstract
São Paulo city is the epicenter of the Brazilian COVID-19 pandemic. The Instituto do Cancer do Estado de São Paulo is currently conducting 161 multinational sponsored trials plus 116 in house studies in the oncologic population. There are 242 currently active participants and 180 patients in follow-up. The management of the tightly controlled environment of clinical research becomes a challenge, and the Food and Drug Administration set of priority recommendations for patient safety while maintaining study integrity. Fast adaptations are necessary, and actions coalesce to participant protection from COVID-19. We pointed out critical processes for adjustments, and we believe that our experience may help other academic health centers.