Women's attitudes towards window trials in endometrial cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Racial differences in women's attitudes towards window of opportunity trials in endometrial cancer
IRAS ID
253837
Contact name
Esther Moss
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
De Monford University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Research Summary
There is a great need to identify more effective drugs not only to treat endometrial cancer or womb cancer (EC) but also to prevent cancer developing in women who are at increased risk of EC. In particular, there is great interest in the use of well-known drugs that are used in everyday clinical practice for other indications that have been shown in laboratory studies to have an effect on EC cells, for example the diabetic drug Metformin. The potential effect of such drugs on EC cells is often tested through a ‘window of opportunity’ (or window) trial. This is where the patient takes the drug for a short period of time in between their diagnosis and surgery for their cancer, typically 2-3 weeks. The biopsy that diagnosed the cancer, usually from a hysteroscopy, and the cancer removed at the time of hysterectomy are then compared in order to examine the effect of the drug on the cancer.
Window trials can be difficult to recruit to and studies have shown that previous experience of research and greater patient-reported knowledge of their condition have been shown to have a positive effect. Recruitment of patients from multi-ethnic backgrounds to any research studies is acknowledged to be challenging and as a result they are often underrepresented in trials. The EC incidence appears to be rising in the multi-ethnic population in the UK and since there appears to be a genetic difference in the tumours of Black, South Asian and White women it is important that new treatments are shown to be effective across all populations. Ensuring that multi-ethnic women are adequately represented in window trials is therefore of vital importance.Summary of Results
This study provides important insights into patients’ views on Window of Opportunity Trial (WOT) participation in EC. The timing and format of the study information and the type of substance under investigation were factors influencing potential participation, however the importance of practical issues including time away from work and transport to hospital appointments also needs to be considered. South Asian patients/participants with intersectional identities often experience barriers that could adversely impact on participation in research studies such as WOTs. Recognition of intersectionality and an intersectional approach in future research will facilitate a more inclusive approach to recruitment for South Asian ethnicity patients who have undergone treatment for endometrial cancer to WOT studies. Future studies should consider using multilingual visual information videos to address information needs as this may encourage participation by South Asian patients.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0788
Date of REC Opinion
29 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion