Improving diverse patient access to cancer clinical trials
Official title: The ECOG-ACRIN SUPPORT Trial: Multilevel Intervention to Improve Diverse Enrollment in Cancer Clinical Trials
Funded at Ecog-Acrin Medical Research Foundation · NIH-11182633 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program uses a research literacy tool and resource navigators to help people with cancer, especially those from underrepresented communities, get referred to and join NCI-supported cancer clinical trials.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ecog-Acrin Medical Research Foundation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $701,000 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA274996-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11182633 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with a cancer diagnosis who receive care at participating community oncology clinics, particularly patients from underrepresented racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic groups who may be eligible for NCI therapeutic trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not receive care at participating sites or who are not eligible for current NCI therapeutic trials are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this program.
What this research studies
From your perspective, the ECOG-ACRIN team will provide a SUPPORT Toolkit that includes easy-to-understand trial information and dedicated resource navigators who work directly with patients, doctors, and clinic staff. Navigators will help you understand trial options, streamline referrals, and address practical barriers like scheduling or paperwork. The intervention will be rolled out at participating community oncology sites and the team will track whether more diverse patients are referred and enroll in active NCI therapeutic trials. Participation may involve brief education sessions and conversations with a navigator to explore trial eligibility and next steps.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more diverse patients could gain earlier access to cutting-edge treatments through increased referral and enrollment in clinical trials.
How similar studies have gone: Previous patient navigation and education programs have improved trial awareness and enrollment in some settings, but combining a research literacy tool with resource navigators across many community sites is a newer, larger-scale approach.
Where this research is happening
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Ecog-Acrin Medical Research Foundation
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Simon, Melissa a. — Ecog-Acrin Medical Research Foundation
- Study coordinator: Simon, Melissa a.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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ECOG-ACRIN NCORP Research Base overview for cancer care and prevention
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Biorepository for Cancer Biospecimens to Advance Cancer Care
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ECOG-ACRIN cancer clinical trials network
This program runs cancer clinical trials and prevention studies to expand treatment options and improve quality of life for people with cancer and cancer survivors.
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Support Toolkit to Boost Cancer Clinical Trial Participation
A multi-level program to help more cancer patients join NCI-supported clinical trials using a patient-friendly literacy tool and navigators.
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ECOG-ACRIN Community Cancer Research Network
This program runs clinical trials and prevention projects to improve cancer care and quality of life for people treated in community clinics.
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Member Site Core (cancer trials network core for biomarker-driven research)
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.