When it comes to cancer care, the gap between innovation and adoption can cost lives. Despite groundbreaking advancements in therapies for kidney cancer, many patients still appear to be waiting to benefit from these life-saving treatments. This topic was the centerpiece of a recent discussion among Boston-area life sciences leaders, facilitated by Steve Ennen, Client Engagement Strategist at Amplity, and Dr David McDermott, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Biologic Therapy and Cutaneous Oncology Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The group explored the barriers to treatment awareness and adoption and how AI-driven pharma decisions, real-world data, and targeted education and communication could help close the gap.
Dr McDermott emphasized the rapid progress in kidney cancer treatments. “Survival rates have improved dramatically,” he said. “We’ve transitioned from older, less effective therapies to newer approaches that not only prolong life but even cure some patients.”
Despite these advancements, Dr McDermott highlighted a sobering reality: “The biggest surprise is how long it takes for patients to benefit from these breakthroughs. There’s a real gap between innovation and adoption.”
The numbers back this up: According to the American Cancer Association, the survival rates for kidney cancer are now 4 to 5 times longer than they were a decade ago, thanks to advancements like immune checkpoint inhibitors and combination therapies. Yet, the delay in translating innovation to patient benefit remains a significant challenge.
This delay is most evident in community oncology settings, where the majority of cancer patients receive care. While academic centers tend to lead adoption of newer therapies and protocols, community oncologists often lag behind—especially in the case of rare cancers and other orphan diseases. “What we say and do in academic centers doesn’t always translate to what’s happening in the community. That’s a problem… and an opportunity,” said Dr McDermott.
Using AnswerY™, Amplity’s AI platform that analyzes qualitative treatment data from HIPAA-compliant doctor-patient conversations, it was found that entrenched “old habits” are a major barrier to adoption.
For example, many oncologists, especially those with years of experience, are hesitant to change their standard practices. “Oncologists who are my age or older are often impervious to new things,” Dr McDermott admitted. “There’s a lot of inertia in medicine, and that’s hard to overcome.” This insight was supported by data from AnswerY, which identified similar treatment patterns and rationale among healthcare providers, further validated by Dr. McDermott.
Another major factor is fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of new side effects, and fear of bad outcomes. Dr McDermott described how even a single adverse event with a new therapy can leave a lasting impression on a clinician. “If you’ve ever had a bad outcome with a patient, that leaves a mark,” he said. “It’s hard to go back and try again, even if the data overwhelmingly supports the use of the therapy.”
This fear is not unfounded. According to Dr McDermott, serious toxicities from immune checkpoint inhibitors occur in 10 to 12% of patients in clinical trials, including rare but severe side effects such as myocarditis and loss of endocrine function. These risks can make providers hesitant, especially when treating patients in the adjuvant setting, where 50% to 60% of patients may already be cured after surgery and may not need additional therapy.
According to AnswerY output, patient comfort level is another factor slowing adoption. Dr McDermott agreed, noting that many patients, particularly those in community settings, often prefer to stick with treatments they know, even if newer options could offer better outcomes. “Patients can be reluctant to try something new when they’re accustomed to their existing care routines,” he explained. This dynamic reinforces the status quo and makes it even harder to shift to innovative therapies.
Logistical challenges may further complicate matters. For patients in rural areas, access to specialists is often limited by distance, time, and cost. “In places like Boston, we take for granted that patients can get to a major center. But for someone in a rural area, taking three days off work to drive to a specialist is a huge barrier,” Dr McDermott pointed out.
So, how do we address these barriers and ensure that patients receive the treatments they need? Communicating with both providers and patients in ways that specifically address their questions and use their own lexicon can go a long way to building trust for newer treatments, Ennen emphasized. For example, AnswerY, which processes data from 155,000 healthcare providers and over 82 million patient records, offers an unprecedented opportunity to understand what’s holding back adoption. With new records ingested every month, AnswerY provides real-time insights into prescribing patterns and clinician decision-making.
“AI allows us to look at the unstructured data (like doctor-patient conversations) and identify common themes and gaps in treatment,” Ennen explained. For example, AI reveals which specific oncologists are more hesitant to adopt new therapies, whether it’s due to concerns about side effects, misperceptions about patient eligibility, or a lack of awareness about the latest data.
Dr McDermott suggested an even more ambitious application of AI: integrating it directly into clinicians’ workflows. “Imagine if AI could provide real-time feedback as a provider is writing their notes,” he said. “If someone is making a decision based on outdated information, the system could prompt them with the latest evidence. That’s the kind of intervention that could change behavior in the moment.”
Both Ennen and Dr McDermott agreed that communication tailored to a specific audience is key to driving adoption. “You don’t communicate with every oncologist the same way,” Ennen noted. “Some are motivated by data, others by patient stories, and others by the opinions of their peers.”
Dr McDermott emphasized the importance of engaging not just physicians but also the broader care team, including nurses, pharmacists, and even patients themselves. “Nurses and pharmacists are often more open to learning new things and can play a huge role in influencing treatment decisions,” he said. “And patients, when they’re informed, can advocate for the best care.”
Communication must also address the specific challenges patients face, from understanding new treatment options to overcoming fears of leaving their comfort zones. By equipping patients with clear, actionable information, providers can foster greater confidence in adopting innovative therapies.
The discussion highlighted many practical takeaways for healthcare providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders:
As Dr McDermott pointed out, there are broader implications. “The challenges we face in kidney cancer are not unique—they’re universal across oncology,” he said. “But the good news is that we have the tools to address them. It’s just a matter of using them effectively.”
Ennen echoed this sentiment, adding, “When we bridge the gap between innovation and adoption, we’re not just advancing medicine—we’re saving lives. That’s what this is all about.”
By leveraging data, embracing technology, and fostering open communication, the healthcare community can better ensure that groundbreaking treatments reach the patients who need them most.
AI platform AnswerY transforms millions of HIPAA-compliant provider-patient conversations into actionable insights. It helps all teams—marketing, sales, medical, and RWD—optimize strategies by uncovering the “why” behind treatment decisions. With these insights, AnswerY drives next-best actions and can help bridge the gap between innovation and adoption.
Curious how AnswerY can help you better understand prescriber rationale to ensure faster care in oncology and other therapeutic areas? Contact us for a demo now.
