Study Finds nCartes Vastly Reduced Clinical Trial Data Quality Queries
SWOG Cancer Research Network study shows major gains in clinical data quality and operational efficiency with software to automate data capture from EMRs.
Fremont, CA - June 18, 2026
A newly published case study led by the SWOG Cancer Research Network found that the nCartes EHR-to-EDC platform dramatically reduced clinical trial data queries.
Clinical trial data queries are typically raised when data quality issues are identified. In this study, researchers compared the number of queries before and after nCartes implementation at seven trial sites. The study measured query reductions separately for structured and unstructured data. Structured data are stored in predefined formats. Examples include demographic data, vital signs and lab data. Unstructured data do not follow predefined formats. Examples include clinician notes and radiology reports. In this study, adverse event data were also considered unstructured because the number and type of adverse events could not be predefined in advance. Across the seven sites, nCartes slashed the number of queries by 97.1% to 100% for structured data and by 84.5% to 100% for unstructured data.
"This analysis shows that the nCartes system significantly reduces data entry errors in both structured and unstructured data," said the study's lead author Chris Cook, Chief Technology Officer of Cancer Research And Biostatistics, SWOG's data management and IT partner. "These improvements enhance overall data quality and reduce the staff time required to resolve queries."
Sunita Yadav, MD, Senior Product Manager at nCartes and a co-author of the study, added: "These rates of query reduction are unprecedented. The findings underscore the strength of nCartes and the review and quality assurance layer built into the platform."
Beyond the benefits for research sites, nCartes' ability to reduce queries can help biopharma trial sponsors materially lower costs and shorten the time to trial database lock. With drug development expenses high and time-to-market critical, the platform can deliver immense economic value for biopharma companies.
Michael LeBlanc, PhD, SWOG Chief Statistician and Director of the SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center (SDMC), said: "These are outstanding results. Accurate data and efficient research execution are essential. nCartes' value for SWOG sites and our research programs is even greater than we expected."
The study was presented at the 47th annual meeting of the Society for Clinical Trials in late May in Phoenix, Arizona. Chris Cook will also present the findings in a webinar titled "Transforming Data Fulfillment in Clinical Trials -- the nCartes Experience" on Thursday, July 16th, 11 AM PT/2 PM ET. To register, email info@nCoup.com or the SWOG SDMC at SWOG-EHR-EDC@CRAB.ORG.
About SWOG Cancer Research Network
SWOG Cancer Research Network is a global cancer research community of over 20,000 members in 46 states and eight other countries who design and conduct publicly funded clinical trials. SWOG Cancer Research Network is part of the National Cancer Institute's National Clinical Trials Network and the NCI Community Oncology Research Program and is a major part of the cancer research infrastructure in the U.S. and the world. SWOG trials have led to U.S. FDA approval of 15 cancer therapies, changed more than 100 standards of cancer care, and saved more than 5 million years of human life. Learn more at swog.org and follow them on Twitter/X at @SWOG.
About SWOG SDMC
The SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center (SDMC), under the leadership of Group Statistician Michael LeBlanc, is located at both the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (FHCC) and Cancer Research And Biostatistics (CRAB) in Seattle, Washington. The role of SDMC is to provide state-of-the-art statistical and data management expertise for the effective design, conduct and reporting of clinical trials. Learn more at www.swogstat.org.
About nCartes
nCartes is a cloud software platform provider. The nCartes platform enables clinical research sponsors and research sites to harness provider electronic health systems (EHRs) to automate data capture for clinical trials, patient registries, cell manufacturing and more.
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