Navigating Scientific Progress in Radiation Oncology: Comprehensive Analysis of Clinical Trials From the Past Two Decades Using the ClinicalTrials.gov Database

PURPOSEOncology has experienced substantial growth in clinical trial activity over the past two decades, but a comprehensive evaluation of radiation oncology research is lacking. This study analyzed trends in radiation therapy trials using data from ClinicalTrials.gov.MATERIALS AND METHODSA comprehe...

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Main Authors: Sebastian M. Christ, Maksym Fritsak, Gabriel Kobeissi, Philip Heesen, Siyer Roohani, Rifaquat Rahman, Ajay Aggarwal, Matthias Guckenberger
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Society of Clinical Oncology 2025-04-01
Series:JCO Global Oncology
Online Access:https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/GO-24-00615
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author Sebastian M. Christ
Maksym Fritsak
Gabriel Kobeissi
Philip Heesen
Siyer Roohani
Rifaquat Rahman
Ajay Aggarwal
Matthias Guckenberger
author_facet Sebastian M. Christ
Maksym Fritsak
Gabriel Kobeissi
Philip Heesen
Siyer Roohani
Rifaquat Rahman
Ajay Aggarwal
Matthias Guckenberger
author_sort Sebastian M. Christ
collection DOAJ
description PURPOSEOncology has experienced substantial growth in clinical trial activity over the past two decades, but a comprehensive evaluation of radiation oncology research is lacking. This study analyzed trends in radiation therapy trials using data from ClinicalTrials.gov.MATERIALS AND METHODSA comprehensive analysis was conducted on 4,253 radiation oncology trials registered in the database. Key outcomes examined included trends in trial activity over time, the geographic distribution of trials, and the phases of clinical trials conducted.RESULTSClinical trial activity in radiation oncology has increased significantly, with 4,253 trials registered by February 2024. Digestive, CNS, and head and neck cancers accounted for 49.7% of studies. Research on oligometastasis emerged in the past decade (2.2%), while hematology trials declined (9.7%). Phase II trials dominated (51.3%), with most originating in North America (58.2%). Europe (21.2%) and Asia (25.2%) have shown increasing contributions, reflecting a global shift. Only 6% of trials received industry funding, highlighting the financial challenges in the field.CONCLUSIONThese findings underscore the dynamic nature of radiation oncology research and the need to address regional disparities, advance novel technologies and drug-radiotherapy combinations through phase I and III trials, and increase industry investment.
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spelling doaj-art-910d3019d12e49ae9a43c7e7b515675b2025-08-20T02:15:45ZengAmerican Society of Clinical OncologyJCO Global Oncology2687-89412025-04-011110.1200/GO-24-00615Navigating Scientific Progress in Radiation Oncology: Comprehensive Analysis of Clinical Trials From the Past Two Decades Using the ClinicalTrials.gov DatabaseSebastian M. Christ0Maksym Fritsak1Gabriel Kobeissi2Philip Heesen3Siyer Roohani4Rifaquat Rahman5Ajay Aggarwal6Matthias Guckenberger7Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, CHDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, CHDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, CHFaculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, CHDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Charité—University Hospital Berlin, Berlin, GermanyDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MAGuy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United KingdomDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, CHPURPOSEOncology has experienced substantial growth in clinical trial activity over the past two decades, but a comprehensive evaluation of radiation oncology research is lacking. This study analyzed trends in radiation therapy trials using data from ClinicalTrials.gov.MATERIALS AND METHODSA comprehensive analysis was conducted on 4,253 radiation oncology trials registered in the database. Key outcomes examined included trends in trial activity over time, the geographic distribution of trials, and the phases of clinical trials conducted.RESULTSClinical trial activity in radiation oncology has increased significantly, with 4,253 trials registered by February 2024. Digestive, CNS, and head and neck cancers accounted for 49.7% of studies. Research on oligometastasis emerged in the past decade (2.2%), while hematology trials declined (9.7%). Phase II trials dominated (51.3%), with most originating in North America (58.2%). Europe (21.2%) and Asia (25.2%) have shown increasing contributions, reflecting a global shift. Only 6% of trials received industry funding, highlighting the financial challenges in the field.CONCLUSIONThese findings underscore the dynamic nature of radiation oncology research and the need to address regional disparities, advance novel technologies and drug-radiotherapy combinations through phase I and III trials, and increase industry investment.https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/GO-24-00615
spellingShingle Sebastian M. Christ
Maksym Fritsak
Gabriel Kobeissi
Philip Heesen
Siyer Roohani
Rifaquat Rahman
Ajay Aggarwal
Matthias Guckenberger
Navigating Scientific Progress in Radiation Oncology: Comprehensive Analysis of Clinical Trials From the Past Two Decades Using the ClinicalTrials.gov Database
JCO Global Oncology
title Navigating Scientific Progress in Radiation Oncology: Comprehensive Analysis of Clinical Trials From the Past Two Decades Using the ClinicalTrials.gov Database
title_full Navigating Scientific Progress in Radiation Oncology: Comprehensive Analysis of Clinical Trials From the Past Two Decades Using the ClinicalTrials.gov Database
title_fullStr Navigating Scientific Progress in Radiation Oncology: Comprehensive Analysis of Clinical Trials From the Past Two Decades Using the ClinicalTrials.gov Database
title_full_unstemmed Navigating Scientific Progress in Radiation Oncology: Comprehensive Analysis of Clinical Trials From the Past Two Decades Using the ClinicalTrials.gov Database
title_short Navigating Scientific Progress in Radiation Oncology: Comprehensive Analysis of Clinical Trials From the Past Two Decades Using the ClinicalTrials.gov Database
title_sort navigating scientific progress in radiation oncology comprehensive analysis of clinical trials from the past two decades using the clinicaltrials gov database
url https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/GO-24-00615
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