Patient to drive enrollment discussion by sharing experience in clinical trials

Experts dedicated to enhancing clinical trials will explore hurdles in patient enrollment at the DIA 2014 50th Annual Meeting, from June 15 to 19 in San Diego. The session, “The Patient Point-of-View: An Unrehearsed but Revealing Conversation to Rectify Patient Enrollment,” will feature the perspective of T.J. Sharpe, a prominent patient advocate who was the first to undergo a unique sequence of treatments to fight stage 4 melanoma in a clinical trial. Sharpe, who is enrolled in a second clinical trial for the drug lambrolizumab, writes the “Patient #1” blog for www.philly.com.

The panel discussion, scheduled for June 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the San Diego Convention Center, will examine the considerations of clinical trial patients when deciding whether to participate and remain in a study, as well as how researchers can most effectively listen to and address patients’ concerns.

“Clinical trial patients are often the ‘unsung heroes’ in advancing new therapies. They donate their time and energy to aid researchers in gauging the effectiveness of treatment,” said Barbara L. Kunz, DIA global chief executive. “This forum will provide a unique opportunity to learn directly from patients about their clinical trial needs, and how industry can more effectively encourage enrollment.”

Contact: Tiffany Cohen
+1.202.499.4411
tcohen@reingold.com

###