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Background: Study populations in clinical research must reflect US changing demographics, especially with the rise of precision medicine. However, racial and ethnic minority groups (REMGs) have low rates of participation in cancer clinical trials. Methods: Criteria were developed to identify cancer centers able to accrue a higher than average proportion of REMGs into clinical trials. Comprehensive interviews were conducted with leaders of these cancer centers to identify operational strategies contributing to enhanced accrual of REMGs. Results: Eight US cancer centers reported a REMG accrual rate range in cancer research between 10 and 50% in a 12-month reporting period and met other criteria for inclusion. Fourteen leaders participated in this assessment. Key findings were that centers: had a metric collection and reporting approach; routinely captured race and ethnicity data within databases accessible to research staff; had operational standards to support access and inclusion; developed practices to facilitate sustained patient participation during clinical trials; had strategies to decrease recruitment time and optimize clinical study design; and identified low-resource strategies for REMG accrual. There was also a clear commitment to establish processes that support the patient's provider as the key influencer of patient recruitment into clinical trials. Conclusion: We have identified operational practices that facilitate increased inclusion of REMGs in cancer trials. In order to establish a sustainable cancer center inclusion research strategy, it is valuable to include an operational framework that is informed by leading US cancer centers of excellence. Keywords: Cancer research, Clinical trials, Operations, Disparities, Diversity and inclusion, Racial and ethnic minority groups

PURPOSE: Participation of racial and ethnic minority groups (REMGs) in cancer trials is disproportionately low despite a high prevalence of certain cancers in REMG populations. We aimed to identify notable practices used by leading US cancer centers that facilitate REMG participation in cancer trials. METHODS: The National Minority Quality Forum and Sustainable Healthy Communities Diverse Cancer Communities Working Group developed criteria by which to identify eligible US cancer centers—REMGs comprise 10% or more of the catchment area; a 10% to 50% yearly accrual rate of REMGs in cancer trials; and the presence of formal community outreach and diversity enrollment programs. Cancer center leaders were interviewed to ascertain notable practices that facilitate REMG accrual in clinical trials. RESULTS: Eight cancer centers that met the Communities Working Group criteria were invited to participate in in-depth interviews. Notable strategies for increased REMG accrual to cancer trials were reported across five broad themes: commitment and center leadership, investigator training and mentoring, community engagement, patient engagement, and operational practices. Specific notable practices included increased engagement of health care professionals, the presence of formal processes for obtaining REMG patient/caregiver input on research projects, and engagement of community groups to drive REMG participation. Centers also reported an increase in the allocation of resources to improving health disparities and increased dedication of research staff to REMG engagement. CONCLUSION: We have identified notable practices that facilitate increased participation of REMGs in cancer trials. Wide implementation of such strategies across cancer centers is essential to ensure that all populations benefit from advances in an era of increasingly personalized treatment of cancer.

Background: Racial and ethnic minority groups (REMGs) have low rates of inclusion in cancer trials. With the rise of precision medicine, it is critical that study populations in clinical research reflect the changing US demographics. Methods: Criteria were developed to identify cancer centers able to accrue a higher than average proportion of REMGs into clinical trials. Comprehensive interviews were conducted with leaders of identified cancer centers to ascertain operational strategies contributing to enhanced accrual of REMGs. Results: Eight representative centers reported a REMG accrual rate range in cancer research between 10-50% in a 12-month reporting period and met other criteria for inclusion, and 14 leaders participated in this assessment. Key findings were that centers: had a metric collection and reporting approach; routinely captured race and ethnicity data within databases accessible to research staff; had operational standards to support access and inclusion; developed practices to facilitate sustained patient participation during clinical trials; had strategies to decrease recruitment time and optimize clinical study design; and identified low-resource strategies for improving accrual. There was also a commitment to establish processes that support the patient’s provider as the key influencer of patient recruitment into clinical trials. Conclusion: Conduct of cancer research requires coordination of an operational framework governed by metrics in order to achieve high accrual of diverse populations in clinical trials. Leading US cancer centers have established key Operational Excellence practices and other notable practices which are critical for optimizing sustained inclusion of diverse populations in cancer clinical research. Citation Format: Jeanne M. Regnante, Nicole A. Richie, Lola Fashoyin-Aje, Laura Lee Hall, Quita Highsmith, J'Aimee A. Louis, Kenneth Turner, Spencer C. Hoover, Simon Craddock Lee, Erin L. Williams, Homer Adams, Coleman Obasaju, Ify Sargeant, Madeline Geday, Marianne Gandee, Rayneisha Watson, Moon S. Chen. US cancer centers of excellence coordination of operational strategies contribute to enhanced accrual of racial and ethnic minorities in clinical trials [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-012.

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e18643Background: By 2050, racial and ethnic minorities (REMs) will constitute > 50% of the US population. Despite a high prevalence of certain cancers in REM populations, < 10% REMs diagnosed with...

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