How to Select the Right eCOA Platform for Oncology Clinical Trials

Why specialized electronic Clinical Outcome Assessments (eCOAs) are critical for cancer research success

A YPrime Blog By:

Karl McEvoy, PhD
Vice President,
eCOA and Patient Technologies,
YPrime

As oncology clinical trials grow more complex, the role of electronic Clinical Outcome Assessments (eCOAs) has become central to study success. Oncology research demands greater flexibility, faster response to protocol changes, and the ability to capture data from diverse sources—participants, caregivers, and clinicians alike. Yet many eCOA platforms still rely on rigid, generic frameworks that fail to reflect the realities of oncology protocols.

This blog explores what makes oncology trials unique, why standard eCOA platforms fall short, and how to choose a solution that improves patient experience, data quality, and trial efficiency.

Why Oncology Trials Require Specialized eCOA Tools

From chemotherapy cycles to immunotherapy schedules and daily radiation, oncology treatments rarely follow predictable, calendar-based timelines. Symptoms and treatment effects can fluctuate rapidly, and protocol amendments are frequent. All of these factors make the case for an eCOA platform that’s built for flexibility to support the changing needs of oncology trials.

An oncology-ready eCOA solution must be designed to:

Adjust schedules based on treatment cycles and toxicity

Support rapid mid-study changes without risking data integrity

Offer multiple reporting modes (self, caregiver, clinician)

Handle global complexity with ease—from localization to compliance

What to Look for in an Oncology-Focused eCOA Platform

When evaluating eCOA platforms for oncology clinical trials, it’s important to look for functionality across three core areas:

Prioritize Participant-Centered Design
An eCOA platform should offer dynamic assessment scheduling that aligns with variable treatment cycles, ensuring that data capture reflects clinical reality rather than rigid calendar rules. Smart branching logic helps tailor assessments to each participant’s condition and response, while support for both BYOD and provisioned devices enables accessibility across diverse populations. Reminders and notifications should be configurable, so patients and caregivers can receive prompts that match their schedules and preferences.

Focus on Site and Sponsor Enablement
Oncology trials require agile tools for managing real-time compliance, rapidly implementing protocol amendments, and maintaining oversight across multiple sites. A strong eCOA platform will provide intuitive dashboards, robust localization capabilities, and the infrastructure to support global deployment at scale.

Look for Integration-Ready Technology
Your eCOA technology should seamlessly connect with digital health tools like wearables, CGMs, and sensors to support subjective and objective data. It should also enable consolidated data visualizations and meet the highest standards of global data security to ensure compliance across markets.

Real-World Impact: A Global Phase 3 Case Study

When it comes to oncology trials, the true test of any eCOA platform is how well it holds up in real-life execution—not just what it promises on paper. In a global Phase 3 multiple myeloma study, YPrime’s eCOA platform was selected to support more than 120 sites across 25 countries, with 30+ language translations and a projected 13-year duration.

To meet the trial’s diverse demands, YPrime delivered a fully configured solution supporting PRO-CTCAE, EQ-5D-5L, PGIS, and EORTC QLQ-C30 assessments. The platform accommodated regional differences, evolving protocol requirements, and patient variability—demonstrating how flexible, oncology-ready eCOA technology translates to high compliance, consistent data quality, and sustained performance over time.

Common Technology Pitfalls to Avoid

It is easy to underestimate the complexity of oncology clinical trials, and how changes within the population, amendments to the protocol, and updates to site and patient recruitment can impact the study. An eCOA platform that takes this into account and has features that support the study team in these changes can be critical to the delivery and successful execution of the trial.

The Future of Oncology Trials Requires Better Clinical Trial Technology

As oncology research moves toward more personalized and data-rich trial designs, success will depend not just on collecting data—but on collecting the right data, at the right time, from the right source. A specialized eCOA platform enables sponsors to meet these expectations while reducing the burden on patients and sites alike.

For additional insights as you evaluate eCOA vendors, download YPrime’s eCOA for Oncology—The Clinical Trial Playbook.