Righting a Historical Wrong: Lack of Diversity in Clinical Trials

Desirée Walker was just 38 when she learned she had breast cancer. For this otherwise healthy woman, the diagnosis was a shock. So, too, was the realization that relatively little was known about how to treat breast cancer in women of color like herself—even though they are far more likely than white women to die of the disease. Walker would come to discover there’s a simple reason for this health disparity: People in Black, Hispanic, and other minoritized groups have long been underrepresented in clinical trials.

“As a result, what we’ve learned about preventing and treating many diseases may not apply to people of color,” says Andrew B. Lassman, MD, professor of neurology and associate dean of clinical research compliance at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. “At Columbia, we’re determined to right this historical wrong. In addition, by enrolling a diverse population of subjects to clinical trials, the results are more broadly applicable leading to better treatment option for patients of all backgrounds.”

Today, Columbia is involved in three campuswide efforts to broaden participation in clinical trials—the National Cancer Institute’s Minority and Underserved Community Oncology Research Program at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC), the multicenter Stand Up to Cancer Health Equity Initiative, and the Columbia-Pfizer Clinical Trials Diversity Initiative—along with efforts of individual departments and centers. [read more]

Source: CUIMC Newsroom