Abstract B123: Multilevel influences on Black and Hispanic/Latine patient participation in early phase cancer clinical trials
Authors: Lewis Jessica , Smoyer Amy , Singleton Erin , Nunez-Smith Marcella , Saeed Imran , LoRusso Patricia 
Published: September 2024

Black and Hispanic/Latine patients are disproportionately burdened by cancer yet underrepresented in cancer clinical trials. Diverse participation in cancer clinical trials is essential to identify potential group differences in risks and benefits and to ensure equitable access to cutting-edge therapeutics. Prior research has focused on barriers to representation in later phase trials with less focus on early phase cancer clinical trials (EPCCTs). EPCCTs may include unique barriers to representation based on safety focus and intensive monitoring. We investigate multi-level influences on EPCCT participation for Black and Hispanic/Latine patients through in-depth qualitative interviews with (n=30) Black or Hispanic/Latine metastatic cancer patients and (n=30) oncology providers/staff from two community practices. Using the Ecological Model as a guiding framework, we explored facilitators and barriers to diverse EPCCT participation at the patient level, provider level, health system/policy level, and community level. We utilized Rapid Qualitative Inquiry to gain pragmatic, accurate understanding. At the patient level, we identified informational (e.g., understanding of cancer), emotional (e.g., trust), and instrumental (e.g., transportation) influences on Black and Hispanic/Latine participation. The most pervasive barrier to EPCCT inclusion was lack of invitation for Black and Hispanic/Latine patients. At the provider/staff level, key barriers to representation included low EPCCT knowledge among providers, preconceptions about barriers for Black and Hispanic/Latine patients, and perceived loss of control/relationship with patients/caregivers. At the health system/policy level, critical barriers included insufficient time to discuss EPCCTs, concerns about impact of trials on systems (e.g., wait-time for scans), and provider discomfort with referral process (sending patients to Phase I team without specific trial knowledge). At the community level, salient influences on patient decision-making were identified (e.g., peers, youtube). We conducted a systemwide survey of (n=81) oncology providers and their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding EPCCTs; we determined how attitudes and beliefs related to EPCCT referral behaviors. We have planned interventions to mitigate each barrier and leverage each facilitator to increase representation. It is critical to identify and address relevant local barriers to ensure equitable access to novel therapeutics and generalizability of scientific discoveries.

Citation Format: Jessica Lewis, Amy Smoyer, Erin Singleton, Marcella Nunez-Smith, Imran Saeed, Patricia LoRusso. Multilevel influences on Black and Hispanic/Latine patient participation in early phase cancer clinical trials [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B123.