National Cancer Institute’s Virtual Clinical Trials Office Gains Traction
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Launched in September 2022 by NCI’s Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, the Virtual Clinical Trials Office (VCTO) Pilot program is modernizing oncology trials through a scalable, remote support model. Managed by the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, which is operated by Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. on behalf of NCI, the program began with 6 diverse clinical sites and now supports 20 clinical sites nationwide.
The VCTO’s centralized support structure offers tailored assistance to:
• Meet the needs of each location
• Establish best practices in virtual trial operations
• Reduce onsite administrative burdens
By July 2025, the VCTO team had facilitated more than 51,000 patient screenings across 19 clinical trials, helping several trials reach enrollment goals ahead of schedule. Participating sites are increasingly able to open and manage additional trials.
The adaptable, remote model strengthens core trial activities, including data entry, patient screening, enrollment, and audit support. As the pilot continues to undergo evaluation, its success presents a promising model for centralized support that could extend beyond its initial scope.
Contact: Radim Moravec