Trialjectory: Matching 50K Cancer Patients to Clinical Trials

Cancer Treatment Access and the Role of Patient Empowerment

Millions of individuals receive a cancer diagnosis annually. Simultaneously, numerous clinical trials are underway, investigating potential new therapies. However, a significant disparity exists between those in need of treatment and those who ultimately participate in these vital studies.

Disparities in Clinical Trial Participation

Underrepresentation of women and ethnic minorities is a persistent issue within cancer trials. A 2018 meta-review, analyzing 310 clinical trials spanning 2003 to 2016, revealed that non-Hispanic white individuals demonstrated a higher likelihood of enrollment compared to African American, Hispanic, and Latino participants. Over a 14-year period, 83% of participants were white, while only 6% were Black, 5.3% were Asian/Pacific Islander, 2.6% were Hispanic, and less than 1% were American Indian/Alaskan Native.

Excluding trials focused on breast cancer, women comprised only 41% of the participant pool.

FDA Initiatives for Increased Diversity

Recognizing this imbalance, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken steps toward correction. In 2020, the FDA released industry guidance aimed at enhancing the diversity of individuals participating in clinical trials.

Trialjectory: Connecting Patients to Opportunities

One company actively working to address this challenge is Trialjectory, established in 2017. This startup matches cancer patients with relevant clinical trials. The company experienced substantial growth, moving from approximately 2,000 members in 2019 to a projected 50,000 cancer patients in 2021.

Currently, 35% of Trialjectory’s patients come from underrepresented backgrounds. Within this group, 60% identify as African American, 30% as Hispanic or Latino, and the remaining 10% encompass a combination of Native American, Asian, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and other ethnicities.

Sixty percent of these patients are women, although this percentage may be influenced by the platform’s emphasis on matching patients with breast cancer trials.

Interview with Trialjectory’s CEO, Tzvia Bader

TechCrunch interviewed Tzvia Bader, CEO and co-founder of Trialjectory, to discuss the company’s expansion strategy, the importance of patient community, the impact of the pandemic on healthcare perceptions, and the synergy between technology and education in fostering diverse clinical trial participation.

The following interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Growth and the Changing Role of the Patient

TC: What factors have contributed to the increase in patients utilizing your platform in recent years?

Bader: A significant shift in patient mindset is driving much of this growth. Historically, patients often deferred entirely to their physicians’ judgment. However, there’s a growing recognition that patients must take a more active role in their treatment decisions.

We now manage many aspects of our lives independently – from booking travel to purchasing homes. It’s logical to extend that same level of control to something as critical as fighting for our lives. Patients desire comprehensive information and the ability to explore all available options.

The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this trend. With treatments delayed and patients confined to their homes, they turned to digital resources and felt compelled to proactively manage their health. This experience reinforced the need for ownership and leadership in their care.

Furthermore, the pandemic demonstrated our individual agency in healthcare decisions – choosing when to get tested or vaccinated, without necessarily requiring a physician’s referral. This fostered a mindset of self-reliance and control.

Patient Acquisition and Community Building

How do patients discover Trialjectory when they decide to become more involved in their cancer care?

We strive to meet patients where they are – online. Patients dedicate approximately 90% of their time to online research and education. We provide valuable content, including e-books, and collaborate with advocacy groups.

Crucially, patient-to-patient and patient-to-physician conversations have a substantial impact. Patients share their experiences and recommend Trialjectory within their communities, both online and offline.

Recognizing the power of this network effect, we formalized a “patient champion” program. Patients who have benefited from our platform become brand ambassadors, sharing information with their respective communities. (Editor’s note: These ambassadors are unpaid, and the company currently has “a couple hundred” participating since the program’s launch roughly two months ago.)

This community-driven approach is a key pillar of our growth strategy, as patients are naturally inclined to help one another.

Selecting and Utilizing Patient Champions

What criteria are used to select patient champions?

Champions are individuals within our community who express interest and are able to participate. They then engage in activities they feel comfortable with, ranging from sharing their personal stories to building new communities.

We recognize that the challenges faced by breast cancer patients vary significantly based on age and life stage. For example, those diagnosed in their 20s before starting a family experience different concerns than those in their 30s, 40s, 50s, or 60s. These factors influence treatment decisions.

Our champions help highlight these nuances and provide targeted support and information.

Reaching Underrepresented Populations

How does Trialjectory connect with groups historically underrepresented in clinical trials?

We are able to reach these populations by directly engaging with patients, particularly those receiving treatment in community settings – outside of large research institutions. The majority of patients reside in areas beyond major cities.

We invest in empowering and educating patients, helping them understand their journey. We ensure they are not solely reliant on their oncologists for information about clinical trials.

Oncologists may lack the time to thoroughly search for relevant trials, and patients can easily become overwhelmed by the process. We simplify this by identifying and explaining clinical trials in a patient-friendly manner, focusing on practical considerations such as treatment frequency, administration method, and potential impact on work-life balance.

We also provide a dedicated support team to address the needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds, offering a listening ear and connecting them with additional resources if needed. This might involve linking them with advocacy groups for support, particularly if they lack nearby family.

Our goal is to remove barriers and empower patients to act on their options.

Activating Patient Enrollment

Beyond matching patients with trials, how does Trialjectory encourage actual enrollment?

To truly activate and empower patients, we must provide them with clear understanding and guidance throughout the process. The more informed a patient is, the more likely they are to take action.

Consider this example: a patient whose oncologist recommended a PD-L1 inhibitor discovered on our platform that nearly 40% of similar patients had experienced disease progression with that treatment. They then identified a trial combining that drug with another immunotherapy.

The patient initiated a conversation with their oncologist, asking about the trial. This shifted the dynamic – the patient came prepared with knowledge and options. The oncologist acknowledged they were unaware of the trial and agreed it was worth exploring.

We provide the right options, present data points in an accessible way, and avoid language that might cause fear or confusion. This empowers patients to take control of their care.