Oncology research has been on a 20-year rise and is showing no signs of slowing down anytime in the future. Consider this, between 2000 and 2021, the amount of drugs targeting cancer quadrupled. In 2023, a separate research report found that over 2,000 new oncology clinical trials were launched just that year, and that global spending on cancer medicines “is projected to reach $409 billion by 2028.” Finally, as of May 2025, a search of ClinicalTrials.gov yielded over 39,500 studies indexed under terms including “neoplasm,” “cancer,” and “tumor,” encompassing diverse phases and global locations.

Electronic Clinical Outcome Assessments (eCOA) have revolutionized data collection in clinical trials, offering convenience and real-time insights that traditional methods cannot match. 

However, the effectiveness of these digital tools hinges on the quality of the daily experience they offer participants. Read below to see direct feedback from patients and caregivers across multiple conditions in our Patient Champion Network (PCN), as we identify ten critical factors that can improve the eCOA experience.

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“No one knows their level of pain and how they feel or function better than the patient. Capturing the patient’s response to an electronic Patient Reported Outcome (ePRO) is always the best option.”

Since its inception, Medable has prioritized scientific integrity and rigor around various aspects of clinical trials. As part of its science team, Cindy Howry, VP of eCOA Science, plays a crucial role in ensuring that Medable’s clinical trial platform accurately captures electronic Clinical Outcome Assessments (eCOAs). Hired in 2023, Howry’s chief purpose at Medable is to ensure that the health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) science behind our technology is based on best practices and regulatory guidance.

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