Abstract 1300: A collaborative approach to enhance tissue donation for cancer research; the UNC Patients and Researchers Together (PART) Program
Authors: Spears Patricia A. , Van Lokeren Missy , Branch Vernal , Potter Jennifer A. , Robinson Ryan ,   Patient And Researchers Together (PART) Team
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Tumor tissue-based cancer research is essential to translate scientific discoveries to improve treatments for cancer. Tissue donation programs require a partnership: patients donating tissue and researchers using tissue for translational research. Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (LCCC) has established a program called Patients and Researchers Together (PART) to value and increase the number of patients who agree to donate tissue for research. The PART Program is a patient-centered partnership between patients, community members, oncologists, surgeons, researchers, as well as staff and faculty from the clinical trials office, tissue procurement facility and UNC health communications to increase tissue donations for cancer research by valuing the patient’s contribution.

Methods: The PART program began in 2021 by convening a group of diverse partners with a common goal of valuing patients as partners in biospecimen research. Creating an environment of bidirectional communication and exchange of ideas to 1) inform patients about the benefits of donating tissue for research, 2) inform the public about the importance of tissue to help researchers learn more about cancer, and 3) ensure researchers at UNC have access to tissue for their research. In the initial phase, the PART team evaluated the tissue research needs at LCCC by conducting surveys, interviews and focus groups with key partners. This set the foundation for the focus of current activities. One of the key focus areas is to communicate to patients and the public about the value of using tissue in research. The PART program established a working group to develop patient materials. The working group developed a template for educational materials, study summaries and a rigorous review process. The development of materials and iterative review process includes content experts, health literacy experts, patients and community members, and communications experts.

Results: The PART working group developed a series of educational materials about tissue donation for research. Understanding the importance of donating tissue for research is the first step in engaging with patients. The team developed a template and a multi-step process to review documents. PART used this information to develop a website to promote tissue donation for research to the public. The team has been developing summaries of studies focused on tissue donation. We developed or consulted on 2 general education flyers and 8 study summaries in a variety of cancer types. There is a continuous queue of studies in progress and plans to develop more general education materials.

PART patients and community members are leading the effort to educate patients and the public about tissue use in research. LCCC values patients who donate their tissue to research to improve the lives of all cancer patients.

Citation Format: Patricia A. Spears, Missy Van Lokeren, Vernal Branch, Jennifer A. Potter, Ryan Robinson, Patient And Researchers Together (PART) Team. A collaborative approach to enhance tissue donation for cancer research; the UNC Patients and Researchers Together (PART) Program [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1300.