MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Diverse voices, better outcomes: bringing clinical trials to all

Clinical trials are essential for developing new cancer treatments, but not everyone benefits equally. Despite representing over 30% of U.S. cancer cases, Black and Hispanic patients make up only about 11% of clinical trial participants nationwide. The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) is working to address this imbalance and ensure that all patients have access to the promise of clinical research and the latest innovations in care. Expanding efforts across key areas of outreach, education, and access, the HICCC aims to bring clinical trials to those groups who have been historically underrepresented.

Expanding Clinical Trials, Access to Care

Columbia’s Minority and Underserved Community Oncology Research Program (MU-NCORP) is part of a National Cancer Institute (NCI) program bringing cancer clinical trials to diverse neighborhoods across the United States. Collaborating with six hospitals throughout New York, Columbia’s MU-NCORP ensures that patients can stay close to their family, friends, and trusted healthcare providers while receiving cutting-edge cancer treatments.

This summer, the HICCC welcomed NCI Director Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, MMHC, to one of Columbia’s MU-NCORP affiliate hospitals, the James J. Peters VA Hospital, which serves U.S. Veterans in Bronx, NY. The landmark visit celebrated the expanded access to cancer care and clinical trials that the VA provides, and featured a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new radiation therapy machine, which will bring the most advanced cancer therapies to their patients.

Training the Next Generation of Clinical Researchers

The Diversity in Clinical Trials Training program, one of the first of its kind, was created to address the lack of formal training in clinical trials for health professionals. Beginning in 2023, the program provides clinicians with foundational knowledge on conducting clinical research, as well as how to recruit and retain participants from underrepresented communities. Amber Mayo, an officer of research in the department of neurology, recalls powerful firsthand accounts from patients as a part of the program. “Hearing from those who we serve makes our work even more real and it helped me choose the path I want to take in my career,” she says.

In its inaugural year, Columbia’s clinical trial experts trained 45 faculty, scientists, and students. This year, participation nearly doubled, welcoming trainees from Yale and Cornell universities. Next year, the program will be one of the first to expand to a national audience.

Uniting Perspectives, Bridging Gaps

The annual Diversity in Clinical Trials Day, held during National Cancer Research Month in May, brings together different groups focused on improving inclusivity in clinical trials, expanding access to care for underserved populations, and combating healthcare disparities in the community. Through interactive panels and insightful discussions, attendees hear firsthand from industry leaders, physicians, patient advocates, clinical trial nurse navigators, and caretakers about ways to address current challenges in clinical trial representation.