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# Prioritize Cancer Trial Diversity: Researchers
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/prioritize-cancer-trial-diversity-researchers/
- Published: 2023-06-29T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T18:41:45.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5154805

Researchers from the FDA Oncology Center of Excellence, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), and five leading drug companies say that meeting the need of all cancer patients will require a major shift to prioritize participant diversity in the clinical development of oncology drugs. Writing in *Clinical Cancer Research*, the researchers [say](https://aacrjournals.org/clincancerres/article/doi/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-23-1391/727437/Driving-Diversity-and-Inclusion-in-Cancer-Drug?ref=fdaweb.com) that prospectively planning clinical trials to include diverse study populations “has not been common practice in drug and device development.”

They say a more consistent approach is needed to optimize evidence generated to treat diverse populations for which medical products are intended.

The article notes an FDA 4/2022 draft guidance intended to help industry develop strategies to improve clinical trial diversity. Following the guidance, AACR convened roundtable meetings to discuss drug industry efforts to implement a diversity strategy in cancer drug development.

The meeting goals were to:

- understand how sponsors design and integrate diversity strategies into clinical development and operational plans;
- share current practices about actionable steps to improve clinical trial diversity; and
- identify key challenges and potential solutions in implementing action plans to improve diversity in clinical trials.

The article identifies current actions and practices, challenges to designing and implementing a diversity strategy, and next steps.

“It is critical for the entire clinical research ecosystem to work together to leverage our collective learning on this subject on an ongoing noncompetitive basis,” the article concludes. “Fostering these long-term relationships will be crucial to building trust in clinical research as the cancer research community collectively walks the path toward health equity and addresses the damage of decades of discrimination in healthcare. Ensuring generation of high-quality evidence for new oncology therapies, and the diverse patient community that receives them, is a vital component in reducing disparities in cancer outcomes experienced by underrepresented ethnic and racial minorities.”