Increasing Latino Participation in Cancer Research: Feasibility of the Promotora Model

The recruitment of ethnic minorities, particularly Latinos, into clinical trials and cancer research is a formidable challenge. However, Latinos generally do not reach their proportional representation in current clinical trials, with Latinos making up only 1-5% of clinical trial participants, and fewer than 3% of cancer clinical trial participants. To date, programs promoting clinical trial participation that are culturally and linguistically tailored to the Latino community are scarce. The promotora model has been successful in implementing cancer prevention and early detection program in Latino populations. However, the promotora model has never been evaluated as a recruitment method to increase Latino participation in therapeutic cancer clinical trials.This study seeks to examine the feasibility of implementing the promotora model as a recruitment method to increase Latino participation in clinical trials at a comprehensive cancer center, and to understand the facilitators and barriers to clinical trial participation. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design combined quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluate factors that would facilitate recruitment of Latinos into research using promotora model. Promotoras recruited Latino patients into 2 therapeutic cancer clinical trials. The number of participants who were approached and recruited to the studies was tracked. The qualitative component assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the promotora model via semi-structured key informant interviews (KII). KII were conducted with a total of 15 key informants across the 4 different groups: 1) patients who agreed to participate (n=4); 2) promotoras (n=3); 3) clinicians/principal investigators (n=3) and 4) study staff (n=5). Key informants were asked to discuss their experiences with the promotora recruitment method, evaluate the acceptability and feasibility, as well as barriers and facilitators of the implementation of these methods. This study has shown that the promotora model is a feasible and acceptable recruitment method, and revealed the model’s preliminary efficacy to increase Latino participation in therapeutic cancer clinical trials. Hence, this study can inform future efforts to increase Latino participation in clinical trials in a culturally responsive and effective manner. Taken together, this study, the recommended strategies, and plan for change have the potential to facilitate greater Latino participation in therapeutic cancer clinical trials.Doctor of Public Healt