One of the biggest challenges clinical trials face is recruitment– approximately 50% of clinical trials fail to enroll an adequate number of patients in order to reach statistical power. To help address this challenge, the CCTS Hub partnered with TriNetX, a clinical data network of healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations that connects clinical researchers to trial opportunities based on the patient populations they wish to study.
TriNetX uses the i2b2 (Informatics for Integrating Biology and the Bedside) framework, which is designed to enable enterprise-wide searches of de-identified health information. This platform is used to determine aspects of cohort feasibility by identifying whether a health center sees a sizable number of patients that meet a study’s inclusion/exclusion criteria. TriNetX is able to conduct this analysis across 100+ linked institutional i2b2 instances to provide query capability into the data of potentially millions of patients. Only those sites that meet feasibility expectations are approached to consider participating as a trial site for that given study.
Through TriNetX, investigators benefit from increased opportunities to participate in industry-sponsored clinical trials that are feasible and of scientific interest. Since going live in December 2015, UAB has seen a steady increase of trial opportunities, now averaging around seven per month. These studies cover a range of diseases, including cancer, neurological conditions, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and inflammatory conditions. Among the many trials pursued, the CCTS recognizes efforts in multiple sclerosis and nasopharyngeal cancer under the leadership of Dr. Khurram Bashir and Dr. Lisle Nabell and, most recently, a trial to explore a specific drug treatment for Crohn’s disease under Dr. Kirk Russ.
Those trial units or investigators who are interested in learning more about trial opportunities through TriNetX are invited to