OBJECTIVES: The development of new treatment options in oncology has exploded in recent years. Innovation and the successful diffusion of new drugs is important for both pharmaceutical companies and patients. This study aimed to determine the factors that influence physicians’ decisions to adopt a new drug in oncology by examining their demographics, practices, and prescribing characteristics.

METHODS: A total of 10 therapeutically novel drugs (i.e., first in-class therapies) approved between 2015 and 2018 were identified from the iKnowMed oncology electronic health records database. The corresponding treating physicians were characterized as new drug adopters if they prescribed the new drug within the first 6 months after its FDA approval date and continued to prescribe it for the next 6 months. All other physicians were characterized as not being new drug adopters. Physician characteristics were compared between early adopters and those who were not early adopters using multivariable regression.

RESULTS: A total of 1027 physicians were identified with 257 (25%) being classified as new drug adopters. The average age was 50.5 years, and 71.2% were male. Physician’s clinical trial experience and prescribing volume were the two most significant variables in the model explaining new adoption of first in-class drugs. Age of physicians and practice type were inversely related to the likelihood of being a new adopter.

CONCLUSIONS: Several physician-specific variables are crucial in quantifying the likelihood of new drug adoption in oncology practice. Factors affecting the decision to adopt new therapies early may have clinical and economic utility across therapeutic areas and warrant further study.