A Technology-Informed Approach to Clinical Trial Equity

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Despite efforts to increase participation of diverse communities in clinical trials, ethnic/racial minorities remain underrepresented. One such determinant may be lack of access to a comprehensive cancer center that conducts clinical research. Historically, our institution has had low accrual from rural regions further away from our cancer center, with Hispanic or Latino (HL) patients (pts) being especially underrepresented in our clinical research. In this study, we explored the impact of a clinical trial that allowed pts to receive chemotherapy (chemo) with their local oncologist. We hypothesize that allowing pts to receive chemo locally will lead to higher rates of enrollment from populations under-represented in clinical trials.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We conducted a study for pts with rectal cancer to undergo short-course radiation followed by 4 months of chemo with the option to pursue watch and wait if pts achieve a clinical complete response. Radiation was administered at our institution while pts could receive standard-of-care chemo closer to home with their local oncologist. For pts who received chemo locally, the research coordinator and co-investigators held video visits with the pts prior to each chemo infusion to review adverse events (AE), labs, and chemo dosing. We compared demographic data of pts on this trial with that of pts enrolled across all adult therapeutic oncologic clinical trials over the same time period at our institution. Distance to our institution was calculated based on pts' primary residence zip code. Protocol compliance with AE reporting for pts who received chemo locally was assessed by chart review.

RESULTS

Between May 2020 and January 2023, 24/35 enrolled pts completed both radiation and chemo on trial. 13/24 pts (54%) received chemo locally. Of the 24 pts, 16 were White (67%), 7 Asian (29%), 1 Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander (4%). Of all enrolled patients, 4 were HL (16.7%), compared to our institutional average of 16.5%. All enrolled HL pts received their chemo locally. The average distance traveled by non-HL pts from their home to our institution was 87.7 miles (range 5.1 - 308). In contrast, HL pts traveled an average of 147.8 miles (range 110 - 249), 68% further than their non-HL counterparts. There was 100% compliance with AE reporting among those pts who received their chemo locally.

CONCLUSION

Although the percentage of HL participation in our study was consistent with our institutional average, all HL pts enrolled on the trial received treatment locally and lived substantially further from our institution than non-HL. By allowing pts to receive this part of treatment locally, we provided pts who live further away an opportunity to engage in clinical research without the associated financial and time toxicities related with traveling for treatment. By decentralizing clinical trials and leveraging telemedicine, we can promote the participation of under-represented groups in clinical trials.