New cancer research model bridges health disparity gap

The Accelerated Community Oncology Research Network (ACORN), a national oncology clinical trial network, has announced that it is bridging the disparity gap in healthcare to underserved communities by enrolling more than double the national average of African Americans in cancer-related clinical trials.

The ACORN Network is devoted exclusively to oncology research in the community setting, providing centralized services, allowing clinicians to concentrate on treating patients. Created by community oncologists and privately funded, ACORN provides equal access to cancer treatment studies. In 2007, approximately 20% of ACORN's patients were African-American. In at least one clinic, that number soared to 32%.

"Community oncology clinics care for over 84% of the nation's cancer patients. These clinics have dramatically improved access to care including the underserved. ACORN was designed by community oncology for community oncology -- making clinical trials more accessible to all," according to Lee S. Schwartzberg, MD, President of ACORN.

African Americans make up 12.9% of the US population, according to the 2000 Census. However, recent National Cancer Institute (NCI) data show that African Americans represent only 7.46% of all clinical trial participants down from 7.9%.

As noted by the NCI, "The reasons for the decline are complex and numerous. Often physicians don't discuss the availability of trials with minority patients, and there is lack of information about the potential benefits of participating in clinical trials. In addition, there aren't enough trials in community settings where people affected by disparities often live. Another problem is the design of clinical trials themselves -- the eligibility criteria are very rigorous, are standardized, and may exclude patients with multiple health problems, many of whom are minorities."

Steve Coplon, CEO, remarked, "We were determined to overcome these obstacles by designing a cancer research network based upon a new user- friendly model. We are excited about our success and pleased with the results. ACORN provides patients the opportunity to participate in hundreds of leading- edge clinical trials for all major cancer disease types in their own community. Each of our 30+ practices makes equal access available to all patients."

To increase minority participation, ACORN practices fully integrate clinical research into their operations. Patients are thoroughly informed about research possibilities and learn that being a part of a study means they are closely monitored, receiving the highest standard of care in addition to the most promising treatments under investigation. Patients often cite a key reason for participation is their hope that it will help others in the future.

Dr. Schwartzberg stated, "The ACORN research model has proven effective in ensuring that a broad spectrum of patients has access to the best clinical trials. Using Community Oncology as the vehicle, we are advancing the War on Cancer to all patient populations in a manner consistent with the goals laid out in the President's Annual Report on Cancer."

The ACORN Research Network is clearly a better vehicle to empower those serving on the front-line in the War on Cancer, accelerating major advances and bridging the health disparity gap.