UCC strives to make clinical trials more inclusive
Daniel O’Neill
UCC has revealed a striking new initiative to help clinical trials to consider underrepresented communities.
The EU-funded SENSITISE project, spearheaded by Prof. Frances Shiely aims to include minorities that have been absent from research in new clinical trials. The project aims to include ethnic minorities, the elderly, the LGBTQ+ community, rural dwellers and those with disabilities or mental health conditions in the research and ensure their voices are heard, making it that medical treatments are as effective for anyone of any group.
A recent UCC study found that 91% of clinical trials studied failed to both record and report participant ethnicity, meaning studies cannot confirm if certain treatments are applicable to all.
Prof. Frances Shiely, project lead at UCC’s Health Research Board funded Clinical Research Facility, and Professor of Epidemiology and Clinical Trials in the UCC School of Public Health said: “Our work focuses on how to consider who should be in your trial. Inclusivity in clinical trials is not just about fairness; it's about ensuring that the treatments and therapies we develop work for everyone. Diverse participation helps us understand the full spectrum of how different populations respond to medical interventions, leading to safer and more effective healthcare for all.”
Prof. Shaun Treweek, project partner from the University of Aberdeen added: “Research design and conduct is about making choices and once made, there is no way back from a bad choice. For trials, a common place to make bad choices is around who is involved in the trial. This can bake-in inequality.”
The SENSITISE project is a collaboration between UCC and leading research institutions across Europe such as the University of Aberdeen, Masaryk University, and ECRIN (The European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network). On 20 May those involved with the initiative will meet in Madrid for International Clinical Trials Day and offer free training materials for clinical trial teams, educators, and biomedical students. They will also offer an online module hosted by UCC.
With over double the number of clinical trials currently registered worldwide compared to a few years ago, it is crucial to ensure everyone is represented. To learn more, visit ucc.ie/en/sensitise.