The primary objective of the project is to increase accrual of African American and other underserved patient populations in Southeastern North Carolina (SENC) onto NCI-sponsored clinical trials. The ultimate goal at the completion of the five-year grant funding period will be for NHRMC to apply to become a minority-based Community Clinical Oncology Program (MB-CCOP) or standard CCOP by achieving the required annual patient accrual rates for these programs. Based upon the current patient population, NHRMC would not be able to eligible to apply for MB-CCOP status. African Americans comprise approximately 25% of the total patient population in SENC as well as at ZCC specifically, far short of the 40% minority population required to be eligible for MB-CCOP application. However, inclusion of Hispanic and poor White patient's results in a total of approximately 38-40% underserved population. In either case, whether MB-CCOP or standard CCOP status is sought, the addition of cancer prevention and symptom management studies as well as three planned investigator-initiated studies described herein will greatly enhance the likelihood that this goal is achieved. Secondary program objectives will be to: 1) Sustain and grow a robust clinical trials infrastructure;2) Increase the number of oncologists both in the community and in the academic partner institutions that are actively involved in clinical research that specifically addresses underserved populations;3) Continue to break down barriers to cancer care for the underserved via an increasingly independent patient navigation program.
This project will allow NHRMC and the partner institutions to increase access and accrual to clinical trials thus reducing disparities in cancer outcomes among the underserved and minorities.
| Maguire, Patrick D; Adams, Ashley; Nichols, Michael A (2015) Oncoplastic surgery and radiation therapy for breast conservation: early outcomes. Am J Clin Oncol 38:353-7 |
| Maguire, Patrick D; Papagikos, Michael; Hamann, Sue et al. (2011) Phase II trial of hyperfractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy and concurrent weekly cisplatin for Stage III and IVa head-and-neck cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 79:1081-8 |
