Clinical Trials Expansion Increasing AYA Clinical Trial Access The first phase of a feasibility study into real time updates to the Victorian Cancer Trials Link website and Adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients are app has begun with process mapping and gap analysis enrolled into cancer clinical trials at a lower rate of key data elements underway. than adults or younger children. Many in this age group have rare cancers and typically, trials for these Recruitment of coordinators is in progress. Their role cancers are not open at multiple sites, creating will be to help improve recruitment to Phase 1 trials barriers to participation. In addition, novel targeted through improved coordination of referrals for all therapy trials often cater only for adults or for children. Victorian patients to all Victorian Phase 1 trial centres. Consequently 18–25 year old patients may be unable to access clinical trials designed for paediatric patients at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), and similarly 15–17 year old patients at RCH are unable to access clinical trials at adult hospitals. Through this program, the VCCC is implementing new administrative and governance processes to overcome identified barriers to AYA clinical trial access. A dedicated VCCC project officer, based at Royal Children’s Hospital, is collating data and resources to support a mapping exercise to clearly define the barriers. Ultimately, this program will increase participation of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients in clinical trials, irrespective of whether a trial is open at “There is a real hum an adult or paediatric hospital. Increasing Awareness of Clinical Trials around the VCCC clinical trial activities.” As the main source of clinical trials information for many patients, treating clinicians are key to awareness Professor Mark Rosenthal, of actively-recruiting trials. VCCC Clinical Trials Development Lead Information about active trials is often out of date, creating a barrier to awareness and recruitment. This program is exploring opportunities to support the existing Victorian Cancer Trials Link website run by Cancer Council Victoria, with provision of real-time information. This would provide reliable and accurate information for patients and clinicians, consequently increasing awareness of actively recruiting clinical trials. The program is also addressing the challenge of Phase 1 trials, as their status changes particularly rapidly requiring a hands-on approach to ensure seamless patient referral to major Phase 1 sites. 55