MedCan 3 Trial – A randomised, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess THC/CBD (1:20) to relieve symptom burden in patients with cancer- a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
This study aims to determine if medicinal cannabis improves symptoms of advanced cancer, such as pain, nausea, shortness of breath, anxiety and depression.
Study protocol: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38693590/
ANZCTR: https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=383313&isReview=true
Registration number: ACTRN12622000083796
MedCan 3 is coordinated by Mater Research
Key features of the Mater Research approach
Use of established clusters: Mater is in the process of establishing satellite sites across all 15 Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) in Queensland. Currently, 8 HHSs are onboard, and two Mater cluster sites—Springfield and Redlands. The remaining 8 HHS’s (excluding Children’s) will be onboarded over the coming months ready to refer when patients are identified.
Key experiences: Opening the trial as a teletrial proved difficult initially due to a lack of understanding about how to best manage the governance components, such as how to manage contracts. Communication with care teams in the satellite sites also proved to be a challenge. The initial model was not well suited to investigator led studies. Despite the barriers, there was enthusiasm and support from the sites. Feedback from patients has been that they love the model and appreciate being able to stay home for their treatment and follow up.
Key recommendations: It is essential that there are people with trials experience on the ground in the satellite sites. A well-trained clinical trials workforce is essential. Teletrials should be thought of as a way to rapidly activate and recruit people from anywhere in the country, so standardised interoperable approaches are vital. The system must be agnostic to which health service the patient lives in, as regional and rural settings will often mean people have to span more than one. In rural areas, the GP is often the one providing care, so they need to be able to work as a satellite site too.
This case is part of ACTA’s teletrials web resource which includes more examples of how Clinical Trial Networks (CTNs) and Coordinating Trial Centres (CTCs) have used the teletrial approach in their trials.
Find out more
Please contact the Mater Research team:
Prof Phillip Good, PI
E: phillip.good@mater.org.au
Georgie Huggett, Lead CRC
E: Georgie.Huggett@mater.org.au