title: Stakeholder perspectives on the use of positron emission tomography in phase III oncology trials in the UK.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify factors that influence the use of PET in phase III oncology trials in the UK by evaluating stakeholder perspectives.
  
  
  METHODS
  A wide range of UK PET research stakeholders with a potential interest in the use of PET in phase III trials were identified and invited to participate. These UK PET research stakeholders were consulted using a semistructured questionnaire on their personal experience with and involvement in PET research, the role of PET in phase III oncology clinical trials and on the promotion of UK PET research and unmet clinical needs in oncology. Responses were analysed quantitatively and by qualitative content analysis of free-text responses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 118 responses were received from a wide range of stakeholders representing several professional groups and working environments. Of these respondents, 49 (42%) were using PET in their research. There was the general perception that using PET in clinical research is beneficial in oncology. The two major barriers identified were poor availability of PET and perceived difficulties in funding of excess treatment costs (75% of respondents). Other factors included limited coverage of PET in training, uncertainty about developing imaging protocols or the status of tracers other than 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose, and low awareness of the role of PET in patient selection for therapeutic trials. Patient concerns about radiation were not perceived as a research barrier.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interventions that improve the availability and funding pathways for PET research scans and that increase researcher awareness could help promote the use of PET for phase III oncology trials in the UK.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, East Sussex, UK. h.rojas@bsms.ac.uk
authors.forename: Hector
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rojas-Anaya
authors.forename: Karoline
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skogen
authors.forename: Kenneth Alan
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Miles
mesh_terms: D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012107:Research Design; D013222:State Medicine; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals