P0203 - Evaluating Gender Diversity in Colon Cancer Clinical Trial Leadership, Funding, and Authorship

Chima Amadi, MD, MBA¹, Toni M. Jackson, DO², Chimsom Agbim, MS¹, Temitope Tobun, MD¹, Kennedy Watson, BS¹, Princess Okwesili, MD¹, Uchenna Agbim, MD¹, Hafsa M. Gundroo, MBBS¹, Jonathan Ogbogu, BS³, Daniela Ortega, MD¹, Julia J.. Liu, MD^4
1Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; ²Morehouse School of Medicine, Far Rockaway, NY; ³University of California Riverside School of Medicine, Moreno Valley, CA; ⁴Morehouse School of Medicine, Decatur, GA

Introduction: Gender disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) with women who have a lower incidence of colon cancer but a high 5-year mortality rate highlight the complexity of CRC outcomes. Recognizing the importance of gender-specific research, there is a growing awareness of the need for inclusive clinical trial design. Studies show that female researchers prioritize gender-specific issues, and gender diversity fosters innovation. This study evaluates gender diversity in the leadership, funding, and authorship of U.S. colon cancer clinical trials from 2000 to 2023.

Methods: Data was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov from 2000 to 2023 using the search term “colon cancer.” Inclusion criteria were completed or terminated U.S. studies, yielding 1,355 trials. The gender of the principal investigator (PI) and authors were identified using pronouns or Genderize.io. Each National Clinical Trial (NCT) number was reviewed on PubMed for clinical trial publication history and journal metrics, yielding 420 publications from 310 clinical trials. Data was analyzed using ANOVA, Chi-square tests, and t-tests.

Results: The study analyzed 1,346 colon cancer trials, with 27.2% led by female PIs. Completion rates varied: 84.7% for female PIs, 79.1% for males, 73.7% for other genders, and 88.9% for mixed-gender groups (Pearson Chi-Square value = 12.9, P = 0.005). Trials by mixed-gender groups lasted the longest (1521.6 days), followed by female-led (1467.3 days), male-led (1405.9 days), and other gender-led trials (1065.7 days). Female leadership grew at 0.3% per year (Regression P = 0.205). Funding disparities were evident: 44% from non-NIH/industry, 8.2% from NIH, and 2.6% from industry (ANOVA P < 0.005).

Of 1,346 trials, 23.6% published 420 articles; 25.5% by female PIs, 58.6% by males, and 15.9% by others. Female first authors comprised 43.8%, with an average impact factor of 16.5 and a cite score of 16.7; male first authors comprised 56.2%, with higher metrics (23.1, 26.3) (T-test P = 0.04, 0.03).

Female senior authors comprised 34.3%, with an average impact factor of 10 and a cite score of 18.5; male senior authors comprised 60%, with higher metrics (24.2, 24.3) (T-test P < 0.05).

Discussion: Our review showed significant differences in CRC trials by PI gender. Trials led by female PI had a higher completion rate but longer duration of trial and lower journal metrics. Despite limitations in gender determination methods, future efforts to further examine gender diversity and equity in research practices is warranted.


Disclosures:


Chima Amadi, MD, MBA¹, Toni M. Jackson, DO², Chimsom Agbim, MS¹, Temitope Tobun, MD¹, Kennedy Watson, BS¹, Princess Okwesili, MD¹, Uchenna Agbim, MD¹, Hafsa M. Gundroo, MBBS¹, Jonathan Ogbogu, BS³, Daniela Ortega, MD¹, Julia J.. Liu, MD⁴. P0203 - Evaluating Gender Diversity in Colon Cancer Clinical Trial Leadership, Funding, and Authorship, ACG 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Philadelphia, PA: American College of Gastroenterology.