Clinical trials networks and enrollment of historically underrepresented populations in medical oncology trials

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e20598 Background: Oncology research is limited by the very low number of patients accrued into clinical trials. Clinical trials networks may help to overcome this limitation by allowing investigations designed through academic centers to be available to patients seen in community practices that are far from these centers. This allows for increased accrual and access for these patients while potentially increasing the pace of progress in clinical oncology research. Methods: In this study, we attempted to determine the effect that clinical trials networks can have on the accrual of cancer patients into clinical investigations. We retrospectively analyzed the records from 2002–2008 of a private practice located over 150 miles from an academic center for accrual into trials. This practice is a member of a clinical trials network affiliated with a major academic cancer center. Accrued patients were divided into subgroups based upon type of malignancy, ethnicity and whether or not they were elderly. In addition, from 2007–2008, the percentage of patients accrued into trials relative to the total number treated onsite was calculated and compared to national averages. Results: In this period, a total of 139 patients at this practice were accrued into clinical trials. By malignancy, they were as follows: breast 36%, colorectal 22%, lung 13%, prostate 8.4%, gastric and lymphoma each 3.0%, pancreatic 1.8%, melanoma 1.2% and ovarian 0.6%. The other 18 patients were in trials for either chemotherapy related anemia 7.8% or bony metastases 3.0%. Of the 139 patients, 45% were elderly and 16% were Hispanic, both markedly higher than national averages. For 2007–2008, 12% of patients that received on site treatment were accrued on to trials. For lung, colorectal, and breast cancer, the number of patients on trial as a percentage of all treated onsite were also higher than the national averages. Conclusions: Clinical trial networks allow a higher percentage of total patients to be accrued than the national average and greatly enhance the potential for both minority and elderly enrollment, two populations that have been historically underrepresented in major clinical trials. It may also help to accelerate the progress of medical oncology research towards better treatments for all patients. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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