Recommendations for cellular and molecular pathology input into clinical trials: a systematic review and meta-aggregation

Shujing Jane Lim, Kurinchi Gurusamy, Daniel O'Connor, Abeer M Shaaban, Daniel Brierley, Ian Lewis, David Harrison, Timothy J. Kendall, Max Robinson

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

The SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) 2013 Statement was developed to provide guidance for inclusion of key methodological components in clinical trial protocols. However, these standards do not include guidance specific to pathology input in clinical trials. This systematic review aims to synthesise existing recommendations specific to pathology practice in clinical trials for implementation in trial protocol design.

Articles were identified from database searches and deemed eligible for inclusion if they contained: (1) guidance and/or a checklist, which were (2) pathology-related, with (3) content relevant to clinical trial protocols or could influence a clinical trial protocol design from a pathology perspective, and (4) were published in 1996 or later. The quality of individual papers was assessed using the AGREE-GRS tool and the confidence in cumulative evidence was evaluated using the GRADE-CERQual approach. Extracted recommendations were synthesised using the best fit framework method which includes thematic analysis followed by a meta-aggregative approach to synthesis within the framework.

Of the 10,184 records screened and 199 full-text articles reviewed, only 40 guidance resources met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. Recommendations extracted from 22 guidance documents were generalisable enough for data synthesis. Seven recommendation statements were synthesised as follows: (1) multidisciplinary collaboration in trial design with early involvement of pathologists, particularly with respect to the use of biospecimens and associated biomarker/analytical assays and in the evaluation of pathology-related parameters; (2) funding and training for personnel undertaking trial work; (3) selection of an accredited laboratory with suitable facilities to undertake scheduled work; (4) quality assurance of pathology-related parameters; (5) transparent reporting of pathology-related parameters; (6) policies regarding informatics and tracking biospecimens across trial sites; and (7) informed consent for specimen collection and retention for future research.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Pathology: Clinical Research
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Feb 2021

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