Abstract B122: Understanding Barriers to Equity in Early Phase Clinical Trials Participation for the – Underrepresented Populations (uBEEP-UP Project)- A single-center survey-based study
Authors: Espinoza Issa Jimenez , Chidharla Anusha , Hicks Kamiyah , Mudaranthakam Dinesh Pal , Pepper Sam , Allen Angelica , Suzuki Asuka , Sullivan Debra , Hamilton-Reeves Jill , Kasi Anup , Parikh Rahul , Abbasi Saqib , Abdallah Al-Ola , Burchfield Elizabeth Wulff- , Arthur Anna , Barbosa Lori , Carroll Erin , Heins Jennifer , Krebiill Hope , Lin Tara , Doolittle Gary , Sun Weijing , Baranda Joaquina 
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Despite advancements in cancer therapy, health disparities persist among underrepresented populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, people of low socioeconomic status, and people in geographically isolated areas. Representation in Early-Phase Clinical Trials (EPCT) is important, as limited representation exacerbates said inequities. Underrepresentation in clinical trials (CTs) impacts the true understanding of cancer biology and its role in treatment development. We aim to identify barriers and promoting factors influencing patients’ decisions to enroll in EPCTs and identify interventions to increase minority enrollment in clinical trials using a survey-based questionnaire. Methods: Following the extensive literature review, a list of validated questions were collected to populate a questionnaire to evaluate common themes faced by patients in participation in EPCT. This survey was offered to patients with cancer seen at the University of Kansas Cancer Center. This study is IRB-approved (STUDY00150640). Descriptive analysis was performed with Chi-Square and Fisher’s Exact Tests to determine significant associations between the qualitative variables to evaluate the most pressing barriers that were perceived in access to EPCT. Results: A total of 108 responses were collected. Over 58% of patients were over 65 years old. 62.4% were white, 17.8% African American, and 19.8% others (Asian or Native American). 40% of pts did not know about EPCTs before the survey. Only 26% of responders expressed participating in EPCTs in the past. Most people believe EPCTs are accessible to the public (75%) and would benefit from disease improvement (42%). Personal reasons for participating in EPCTs include obtaining a sense of hope (62%) and expressing no other treatment options available (49%). Encouragement to join EPCTs centered around wishing to help future cancer patients (67%) and trusting the center conducting the trial (52%). Pts emphasized the greatest benefit of participation in trials was the support of family and friends (69%). The top three perceived factors impacting EPCT accessibility from the pts perspective included understanding the value of the trial (76%), poor understanding of CTs process (40%), and lack of information of CTs (39%). Significant associations were observed with previous participation of EPCTs and increased age (p-value 0.031). An association was found with the responder’s self-identified race and perceived accessibility of EPCTs for the public(p-value 0.007). Conclusion: Most responders believed that EPCTs are readily available to others though the most noted barriers included individual perspectives about attributed trial value and purpose. Many pts noted a belief that EPCT involvement would increase hope regarding therapy and a personal desire to help future cancer patients. This will provide a foundational landmark for creating initiatives and interventions that will enhance diversity and access of EPCTs to the community. This project is supported by the University of Kansas Cancer Center P30CA168524.

Citation Format: Issa Jimenez Espinoza, Anusha Chidharla, Kamiyah Hicks, Dinesh Pal Mudaranthakam, Sam Pepper, Angelica Allen, Asuka Suzuki, Debra Sullivan, Jill Hamilton-Reeves, Anup Kasi, Rahul Parikh, Saqib Abbasi, Al-Ola Abdallah, Elizabeth Wulff- Burchfield, Anna Arthur, Lori Barbosa, Erin Carroll, Jennifer Heins, Hope Krebiill, Tara Lin, Gary Doolittle, Weijing Sun, Joaquina Baranda. Understanding Barriers to Equity in Early Phase Clinical Trials Participation for the – Underrepresented Populations (uBEEP-UP Project)- A single-center survey-based study [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 B122.