Patient receiving infusion

On-site Cancer Care Network staff increase diversity in clinical trials

(SACRAMENTO)

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is working to increase diversity in clinical trials by dispatching coordinators to UC Davis Cancer Care Network (CCN) sites to link patients at remote hospitals directly with clinical trials. 

“This approach is one we feel will be critical to helping patients living in remote areas access clinical trials,” said new CCN Clinical Research Director Ashley Tydon.  She’s already hiring staff and setting up the infrastructure for on-site clinical research participation at CCN affiliates. 

Ashley Tydon
CCN Clinical Research Director Ashley Tydon

“As it grows, the UC Davis Cancer Care Network is uniquely positioned to help address the lack of diversity that has historically plagued clinical trial participation — largely limited to patients located near a comprehensive cancer center,” Tydon said. 

She explained that many cancer patients living in rural areas are not inclined to participate in a clinical trial because of the often hours-long drive to a major cancer center.  

“They also want to stay with the doctor they know and love,” Tydon said. “With our CCN affiliation, they can continue to be seen by their community oncologist and still participate in an array of clinical trials that could give them access to novel therapies or new approaches to health care.” 

Marshall Cancer Center in Cameron Park, located in El Dorado County, is the newest member of the CCN. The affiliation, announced in January 2022, allows patients at Marshall direct access to clinical trials. 

“Giving our physicians and patients access to a top academic center for cancer research is transformative,” said Siri Nelson, CEO, Marshall Medical Center. “With UC Davis clinical research staff on site at our facility, it’ll be even easier and more efficient to align the needs of our patients with the clinical trials and research studies being offered.” 

Siri Nelson
With UC Davis clinical research staff on site at our facility, it’ll be even easier and more efficient to align the needs of our patients with the clinical trials and research studies being offered.”Siri Nelson, CEO, Marshall Medical Center

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center currently has more than 200 clinical trials underway as it conducts a broad spectrum of Phase I, Phase II and Phase III trials to test the safety and efficacy of newly developed drugs and treatments.  

The CCN is a national model for optimizing integrated, collaborative cancer care between community cancer centers and an academic medical center to improve access to quality oncology care and clinical trials. It provides leadership in transformative cancer care, research, and education for diverse communities throughout Northern and Central California. 

Other CCN sites with affiliations to UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center include Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center in Truckee, Adventist Health and Rideout in Marysville, Mercy Medical Center in Merced, and Barton Health in Lake Tahoe.

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated center serving the Central Valley and inland Northern California, a region of more than 6 million people. Its specialists provide compassionate, comprehensive care for more than 100,000 adults and children every year and access to more than 200 active clinical trials at any given time. Its innovative research program engages more than 240 scientists at UC Davis who work collaboratively to advance discovery of new tools to diagnose and treat cancer. Patients have access to leading-edge care, including immunotherapy and other targeted treatments. Its Office of Community Outreach and Engagement addresses disparities in cancer outcomes across diverse populations, and the cancer center provides comprehensive education and workforce development programs for the next generation of clinicians and scientists. For more information, visit cancer.ucdavis.edu.