Finally, Jodi Bridge, HonsBSc, senior clinical operations lead, Roche/Genentech, Toronto, spoke about how to operationalize the pharmaceutical industry’s role in engaging diverse participants in clinical trials. On the subject of embedding institutional commitment, Mrs. Bridge noted the industry can, and should, invest in infrastructure, protocol designs and study-specific diversity and inclusion plans to help bolster minority participation. She explained that it’s essential to understand and incorporate patient voices into research by identifying and mitigating patient barriers, meeting patients where they are, supporting research sites in their efforts to support patients and integrating patients at all stages of the study life cycle. Finally, the pharmaceutical industry must forge and support ongoing relationships with under-represented communities, clinicians, patients and advocacy groups with the goal of getting everyone on the same page to support diverse recruitment and retention in clinical trials.
In Sum
The summit was successful in educating the audience about the importance of engaging diverse participants in lupus clinical trials. Clearly, a great deal of work remains to be done, but the sessions represent an important first step in making a brighter future a reality for all.
Jason Liebowitz, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.
References
- Lim SS, Helmick CG, Bao G, et al. Racial Disparities in mortality associated with systemic lupus erythematosus – Fulton and DeKalb counties, Georgia, 2002–2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019 May 10;68(18):419–422.
- Falasinnu T, Chaichian Y, Bass MB, et al. The representation of gender and race/ethnic groups in randomized clinical trials of individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2018;20(4):20.
- News release: RemeGen announces preliminary results of phase iii confirmatory study of telitacicept for treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in China. RemeGen Co. Ltd. 2022 Sep 19.
