The problem: lack of diversity in clinical trials
Only about 8 out of 100 (8%) of all cancer patients in the US participate in a clinical trial (Unger et al., JNCI, 2019). Participation is even lower among racial and ethnic minority groups. Of the few patients who participate in a clinical trial, only about 6 out of 100 (6%) are Black, 3 out of 100 (3%) are Asian American, and 2 out of 100 (2%) are Hispanic (Kwiatkowski et al., Cancer, 2013).
Because of this, it can be difficult to fully understand how new ways of treating cancer work for all patients. And it increases healthcare disparities as these patients are not fully included in the process of drug development and care planning.
The STRIDES study
STRIDES will discover strategies to help communities of color be included in lung cancer clinical trials. The study is focused on understanding the barriers to clinical trial participation among Black patients in Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The project is surveying and interviewing different people who play a role in the clinical trial process, from patients to doctors, to find out what contributes to decreased clinical trial participation among Black patients. A second phase of the project will use those lessons learned to select and pilot different evidence-based initiatives to increase the participation of Black patients in clinical trials.
How can you help?
STRIDES is closed for enrollment. The study has reached an important stage in its investigation and is preparing to present its findings.
GO2 may need help from different members of the lung cancer community as the project enters future phases.
GO2 for Lung Cancer’s involvement
GO2 for Lung Cancer is leading the STRIDES study team along with the STRIDES partner institutions. We have key personnel on the research team who helped lead the study design, will assist with the dissemination of findings, and are also organizing study implementation along with the partner institutions.
STRIDES research partners
Several researchers and institutions have partnered with GO2 to contribute their research expertise to this study. They also support the project with key resources and facilities at their respective institutions. The STRIDES Research Partners include:
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at The University of Alabama at Birmingham:
Soumya J. Niranjan, PhD - INOVA Schar Cancer Insitute:
Nagla Abdel Karim, MD - Vanderbilt University Medical Center:
Melinda C. Aldrich, PhD
Christine Lovly, MD, PhD
How is this research funded?
The STRIDES study is funded by grants awarded to GO2 for Lung Cancer from Genentech and Bristol Myers Squibb.