Clinical Trials and Translational Research in the Field of Cancer
Immunology in Asia-Pacific Countries: Understanding the New Frontier
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to clarify the actual status of clinical trials
and translational research activities in cancer immunology in the
Asia-Pacific region, the most diverse and populous region with a large
number of cancer patients. Methods: This questionnaire-based survey
targeted researchers and healthcare professionals in the Asia-Pacific
region. The questionnaire was sent to individuals who were involved in
any collaboration with the National Cancer Center, Japan, or who
belonged to the Asia-Pacific Blood and Marrow Transplantation group.
Results: We received 122 responses from 20 Asia-Pacific countries and
regions. Approximately 58% of the respondents were currently conducting
clinical trials on cancer immunotherapy, with 25% having performed
>10 phase 3 trials in the last 3 years. Half of the
respondents (51.7%) belonged to institutions that conducted early phase
clinical trials. In clinical trials, immune checkpoint inhibitors were
used in most countries (81.8%), whereas chimeric antigen receptor
T-cell (CAR-T) or T-cell receptor-modified T-cell (TCR-T) therapies were
used in few countries (CAR-T, 22.7%; TCR-T, 2.3%). Importantly, 18%
of respondents had referred their patients to facilities conducting
suitable ongoing clinical trials in foreign countries. Some institutions
provided hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), including
allogeneic HSCT (55.1%) and autologous peripheral blood stem cell
transplantation (81.3%). Approximately 40% of the respondents belonged
to institutions that conducted translational research on cancer
immunotherapy using patient-derived samples. Conclusion: This survey
revealed limited cancer immunotherapy accessibility and research
activities in the Asia-Pacific region, especially for CAR-T and TCR-T
therapies.