Trial results for a study investigating financial reimbursement to reduce clinical trial-related financial toxicity in Breast Cancer patients were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-05-18, showing that 33 out of 39 participants in the $1,000 per month reimbursement group received all reimbursements and completed follow-up surveys.
Background
Financial toxicity, the burden of out-of-pocket costs associated with medical care, is a significant barrier to clinical trial participation, particularly for vulnerable populations. Patients often face expenses related to travel, lodging, childcare, and lost wages, even when the investigational treatment itself is free. For individuals with serious conditions like breast cancer, these costs can be prohibitive, preventing access to potentially life-saving treatments and hindering research progress. Addressing financial toxicity is crucial for ensuring equitable access to clinical trials and fostering diverse participant enrollment, especially for patients living in regions like the Deep South who may face additional socioeconomic challenges.
Trial design
This completed study, identified as Phase NA, enrolled 39 participants with Breast Cancer. The trial aimed to explore the feasibility and preliminary impact of a pilot financial reimbursement intervention for women with breast cancer living in the Deep South who were eligible for a clinical trial. Participants received a monthly reimbursement to compensate for their trial-incurred expenses. The main questions addressed were the ability to recruit and retain patients in a reimbursement study and the preliminary impact of participation on patient financial hardship. Researchers used surveys and interviews to gather data.
Key results
The trial results focused on the overall feasibility of the intervention, specifically the number of patients who received all reimbursements and completed follow-up surveys:
- For the intervention group receiving $1,000 Per Month in reimbursement, the number of participants who received all reimbursements and completed follow-up surveys was 33.
- For the intervention group receiving $900 Per Month in reimbursement, the number of participants who received all reimbursements and completed follow-up surveys was 0.
What this means
The posted results indicate high feasibility for a financial reimbursement intervention of $1,000 per month for breast cancer patients participating in clinical trials. With 33 out of 39 total enrolled participants successfully receiving all reimbursements and completing follow-up surveys in this specific group, the study suggests that such a model can be effectively implemented to support patient participation. The lack of participants completing the $900 per month group highlights the specific outcome for the $1,000 per month intervention. These findings imply that providing substantial financial support can help mitigate financial toxicity, potentially improving access to clinical trials and reducing the burden on patients with breast cancer, particularly in underserved regions.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT05871125, titled "Identifying Ideal Reimbursement "Dose" to Reduce Clinical Trial-related Financial Toxicity", were posted on 2026-05-18 on clinicaltrials.gov.