Expanding access to clinical trials is instrumental in achieving equitable cancer care delivery. Clinical trials can be a lifeline for patients with cancer, providing leading-edge care by clinicians dedicated to a specific disease. The oncology community is filled with stories of patients whose lives were improved and/or extended due to participation in a clinical trial. Yet, despite the potential of clinical research to improve outcomes for patients with cancer, enrollment in trials remains low.
The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is dedicated to helping the oncology community advance new therapies, expand access to clinical trials, and to close the gap in cancer care delivery by offering the latest education and resources on real-world research, evidence, and clinical trials.
Leaders at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center have rebuilt their now nationally recognized clinical trials program from the ground up, with diverse enrollment a cornerstone of their philosophy.
Recognizing the weight of the barriers to trial participation, Susan G. Komen partnered with breastcancertrials.org to develop a free clinical trials navigation e-course designed to help patient navigators better support individuals in accessing trials.
Clinical trials are vital to offering and developing the most effective treatment options. However, there are large disparities in enrollment across race, ethnicity, geography, and type of cancer care center. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge, LA uses local partnerships, culturally tailored outreach, and workforce innovation to drive sustainable and equitable participation in clinical trials. Minorities now make up 21% of their clinical trial participation, surpassing the national average. Following these meaningful gains in attracting local minority populations and underserved communities to take part in clinical trials, the Mary Bird Perkins research team received a grant to further support this work. In this episode of CANCER BUZZ, Victor Lin, MD, PhD, research medical director at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, shares strategies for success in their community, including awareness campaigns and partnerships. CANCER BUZZ also speaks with TaeJeanne “TJ” Taylor-Lawrence, RN, registered nurse and patient navigator, about building relationships and supporting patients in clinical trials.
On October 29-30, 2024, the ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute (ACORI) hosted the Community Oncology Inclusive Clinical Trial Design Summit in Arlington, VA. The event brought together stakeholders including academic and community cancer center practitioners and researchers, advocacy organizations, government agencies, and industry partners to discuss strategies to increase patient access to clinical trials in the community setting. Five priority areas were identified that characterize actionable strategies to promote fair and accessible clinical trial design that is representative of all patients with cancer: strengthening the clinical trial workforce, optimizing trial design, engaging communities outside of clinical trial interactions, decentralizing clinical trials, and leveraging artificial intelligence/digital health tools for increased access and efficiency.
Expanding access to clinical trials in community oncology settings is essential to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in cancer research. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with clinical research coordinator, Oluwakemi “Kemi” Oladipupo, MSHS, MPH, BSN, RN, CCRP, whose cancer center recently participated in a foundational oncology clinical trials course, developed by ACCC and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) to help cancer programs expand availability of trials to traditionally underserved communities. Oladipupo shares how this training prepared their center for the challenges of a growing research program, the progress they’ve made, and the pivotal role of clinical research coordinators in expanding research programs and improving patient access to clinical trials.
ACCC and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals launched a pilot program aimed at expanding clinical trial access and capacity in community oncology settings.
Fueled by advances in digital health technology and the growing need to address operational constraints in nonacademic settings, decentralized clinical trial designs are poised to redefine how (and where) clinical evidence is generated.
Instead of viewing clinical trials as a last resort, patients with pancreatic cancer and their oncologists are encouraged to investigate clinical trials from the start of treatment.
The imPROVE study aims to bridge the gap in patient-reported outcomes (PRO) data for Black women with breast cancer by enhancing engagement with tailored electronic PROs (ePROs) and partnering with community leaders to address barriers and ensure accessibility and relevance in community cancer care settings. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Manraj Kaur, PhD, investigator and lead faculty for research and innovation at Patient-Reported Outcomes, Value, and Experience (PROVE) center at Mass General Brigham and Andrea Pusic, MD, chief of division of plastic and reconstructive surgery, director of PROVE center at Mass General Brigham, and professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School about the imPROVE study’s efforts to enhance Black women’s engagement in ePROs in breast cancer treatment. Dr. Kaur sheds light on strategies to improve technology accessibility for Black women in their cancer care center by providing iPads and refined usability features on the imPROVE app. Dr. Pusic highlights imPROVE implementation results at five community cancer centers, including utilizing local champions and equitable access to resources.
Immunotherapy and targeted therapies have transformed the way patients are treated and allow more patients than ever before to survive stage IV diagnoses. Other key advancements in oncology being prioritized in Puerto Rico today include early detection and prevention efforts. However, a lack of education, access, and health insurance coverage often prevents community members from timely cancer screenings. The same factors contribute to a lack of diversity in clinical trials, as noted by Dr. Marcia Cruz-Correa. Both these important issues require a community-based approach, through building advisory groups, working with local oncologists, and reaching community members where they are in a way they understand.
In an effort to collaboratively and strategically reduce barriers to clinical trial participation, ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute hosted the Community Inclusive Clinical Trial Design Summit in the fall of 2024.
Read about the impact of an ACCC pilot program to provide foundational, oncology-specific clinical research training and tools to build research capacity and increase clinical trial participation at community cancer centers.
