Abstract B116: Attitudes and barriers to cancer clinical trial participation among Spanish-speaking Latino/a radiation oncology patients

Abstract Background: Latino/a cancer patients are the fastest growing patient block, but remain disproportionately under-enrolled in cancer clinical trials in the United States. Educational and health literacy deficits have been previously linked to low clinical trial participation. Patient education through language-concordant audiovisual tools have been shown to improve knowledge and attitudes regarding clinical trial participation in minority populations. Purpose: In this study, we perform formative research to instruct the development of an audiovisual didactive intervention (AVDI), to be used in a forthcoming educational randomized control trial with Latino/a Spanish-speaking (SSL) patients in radiation oncology. Methods: We recruited SSL patients from radiation oncology clinics to participate in language-concordant focus groups. Focus groups were semi-structured, using a guide that explored clinical trial informational needs and enrollment barriers in our SSL population. Focus groups were audio recorded and verbatim transcripts generated. Systematic coding of transcripts and content analysis were performed using an immersion-crystallization approach—an inductive, iterative approach for identifying specific informational elements and themes most relevant to clinical trial participation. In parallel to the focus groups, we convened a multi-professional group consisting of radiation oncologists, nurses, and patient advocates to create a logic model to identify key facilitators of improved trial participation in SSL patients. Results: 20 SSL patients who underwent curative radiotherapy for breast and prostate cancer participated in focus groups. Median age was 69 years and 75% were of Caribbean descent. No patient had prior participation in a cancer clinical trial. Content analysis of focus groups revealed patient 1) desire for upfront cure and assumption this may not be possible in the context of clinical trial; 2) fear of experimental procedures and receipt of animal-grade drugs; 3) aversion to burden of additional visits/phone calls; 4) confusion of “clinical trial” terminology in Spanish. The multi-professional logic model identified the following facilitators of trial participation: 1) inclusion of family in medical discussions and decision-making; 2) receipt of medical information directly from Spanish-speaking providers; 3) value of seeing/hearing patient testimonials from a matching demographic; 4) emphasis of potential unique advantages from trial participation (e.g., potential receipt of novel intervention not available/limited outside of trial). Conclusion: Utilization of qualitative research methods effectively identify targeted informational elements and themes for design of culturally and linguistically tailored AVDI to improve knowledge and receptivity of cancer clinical trials in SSL patients. First-in-class AVDI to be used in prospective radiation oncology study. Citation Format: Oscar Padilla, Michelle Tuz, Christopher Ortega, Lisa Kachnic. Attitudes and barriers to cancer clinical trial participation among Spanish-speaking Latino/a radiation oncology patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 18th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2025 Sep 18-21; Baltimore, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B116.