Factors Associated With Minority Patient Enrollment in a Gastric Cancer Biobank

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genomics
• Translational Research

Background:

• Human tissue samples are crucial for cancer research, but underrepresentation of minority patients (<20%) in biobanks limits understanding of cancer biology.
• This disparity may lead to biased research outcomes and hinder the development of effective, broadly applicable cancer treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors influencing patient enrollment in a gastric cancer biobank.
• To address the underrepresentation of minority populations in cancer research datasets.

Main Methods:

• Prospective enrollment in a gastric cancer biobank for patients with suspected or confirmed gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer undergoing surgery.
• Retrospective review of invited patients (2017-2023) at safety-net and university hospitals.
• Comparison of enrolled vs. declined patients to determine enrollment predictors.

Main Results:

• Hispanic patients showed similar enrollment odds compared to non-Hispanic White patients (OR: 1.22, P=0.63).
• Non-Hispanic minority patients (Black/African Americans, Asians) had lower enrollment odds than non-Hispanic Whites (OR: 0.41, P=0.04).
• Minority patients at safety-net hospitals had significantly higher enrollment odds than those at university hospitals (OR: 2.62, P=0.02).

Conclusions:

• Minority patients should not be treated as a single group in diversity initiatives.
• Targeted interventions addressing cultural factors and improving access at safety-net centers are necessary for equitable biobank enrollment.
• Enhancing diversity in biobanks is essential for unbiased cancer research and improved patient outcomes.