ID #357 Development of an Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Neuro-Oncology Clinical Trial Referral Program at a Mid-Sized Academic Medical Center

Background Adolescents and young adults (AYAs), ages 15–39, with central nervous system (CNS) tumors often fall between pediatric and adult oncology systems, leading to fragmented care and missed opportunities for clinical trial participation. These gaps contribute to disparities in treatment access and long-term outcomes. Methods A centralized, nursing-led AYA Neuro-Oncology Clinical Trial Referral Program was implemented at our institution for adolescent and young adult patients aged 18–39 years. Nurses served as primary coordinators, participating in multidisciplinary tumor boards and adult oncology clinical trial meetings to prospectively identify eligible patients. A designated Research Nurse functioned as the AYA Clinical Trial Coordinator, providing centralized communication, systematic eligibility screening, coordination with disease-specific research teams, and timely feedback to referring providers. Results Following implementation, pediatric neuro-oncology consultations for AYA patients increased by 142%, from 7 patients over 2020–2024 to 17 patients in 2025 alone. Clinical trial enrollment increased fivefold, with 5 AYA patients enrolling in 2025 compared to only one patient in the prior five-year period. Conclusion Implementation of a nurse-supported AYA Neuro-Oncology referral and clinical trial coordination model led to substantial improvements in patient identification, interdisciplinary communication, and trial enrollment. These findings support the development of a dedicated AYA Neuro-Oncology program, with nursing leadership playing a critical role in ensuring continuity of care and equitable access to clinical trials across the care continuum. Broader dissemination of this model may help standardize care transitions and expand trial access for AYA patients across diverse practice settings.