Inclusion of Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Cancer Clinical Trials: 30 Years After the NIH Revitalization Act, Where Are We?

Abstract

The lack of diversity in cancer trials is a multifaceted, decades-old problem that has remained persistent despite efforts to increase the number of participants from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds. This lack of meaningful improvement is a problem that continues to perpetuate inequities in cancer care. For optimal generalizability of clinical trial results, populations that are likely to be treated must be adequately represented. Beyond consensus statements, policy enactments, and federal mandates, strategic collaboration with at-risk underrepresented communities is critically necessary to improve the accrual of minorities to cancer clinical trials. As such, the clarion call is for advanced practitioners in oncology to take a keen interest in this issue and seek to develop population-specific strategies to bridge and eliminate the disparity gap and improve outcomes in these groups.