Abstract C009: Impact of a national community advisory board on clinical trial design, participant recruitment, and implementation: 1 year of experience

Abstract

Abstract Engaging underrepresented populations in clinical trials remains a persistent challenge. To promote equitable participation in a hybrid decentralized study (i.e., recruitment and enrollment at sites or virtually), we created a national community advisory board (CAB), defined as a group of community members who help guide how a trial is designed and run. The CAB advised for FIND-CRC (NCT07046585), a large-scale, prospective observational study evaluating the efficacy of Natera's blood-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test. Here we describe the board’s formation and the impact of its guidance on trial development throughout the year.To ensure diverse perspectives, we collaborated with experts in community engagement and patient advocacy to recruit a 15-member CAB from established networks. This group was comprised of cancer survivors, caregivers, community health workers, and policy advocates, who offered critical insights rooted in their close ties to underrepresented communities. During this year, they participated in three comprehensive virtual meetings and smaller working sessions, while completing educational modules to align on study's science and mission. A year later, we surveyed the members to capture their unique perspectives and feedback.The CAB’s guidance actively shaped our study protocol, including screening approaches, recruitment language, consent materials, participant surveys, and the study website. By focusing on cultural relevance and clarity, the board helped us counter misinformation and build trust. Additionally, members proposed practical improvements, such as identifying patient navigator support resources and decentralized participation approaches, such as social media and pharmacy outreach, to enhance accessibility. Among the 12 surveyed members, feedback highlighted that the greatest value of the CAB was having a direct, meaningful impact on trial operations, noting that the role deepened their advocacy work and enhanced their understanding of clinical research. The members suggested improvements for future engagement, such as more frequent but shorter meetings to keep momentum, at least one in-person gathering to build stronger relationships, and a continued focus on diversity and training. All 12 of the surveyed members expressed their interest to continue on the committee for another year.Bringing a community advisory board into trial design early is both practical and transformative. This structured, collaborative approach strengthened cultural understanding, improved the participant experience, and produced a more inclusive, participant-centered study. Early and sustained community engagement offers a model others can reuse to build equity and trust in clinical research, especially in decentralized or hybrid studies. Citation Format: Shifra Krinshpun, Catherine A. Dayger, Eileen Hoffman, Katy Hanlon, Danielle Gavino, Rebekkah Schear, Rebecca Muñoz, Robin Richardson, Ricki Fairley, Allison Rosen, Anita Isler, Brenda L. Garza, Cheryl L. Alston, Ellen Tappin, Esther Hyun, Jasmin Mejia, Jeremy Echols, Kelly V. Robinson, Michael Holtz, Paula Chambers, Tim MacDonald, Yaseem Watson, Zakela Mickens, Sarah D. Sawyer, Alexey Aleshin, Breeana L. Mitchell. Impact of a national community advisory board on clinical trial design, participant recruitment, and implementation: 1 year of experience [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 19th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2026 Oct 18-21; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2026;35(10 Suppl):Abstract nr C009.