A retrospective cohort study examining clinical trial participation among patients with advanced cancers found that enrollment has increased only modestly over time. Despite this gradual improvement, overall participation remains low, suggesting that most eligible patients still do not enter trials.
The study also revealed a striking concentration of enrollment activity: a small minority of physicians and practices were responsible for the majority of trial enrollments. This pattern indicates that trial access may be unevenly distributed across the healthcare system.
These findings highlight a persistent gap between the potential benefits of clinical trials and real-world participation. The reasons behind the low and concentrated enrollment are not detailed in the study excerpt, but the results point to structural and provider-level factors that may limit patient access.