Abstract 2387: Colorectal cancer equity and impact (CLEAR-CRC): The colorectal cancer alliance's community-based model for advancing biomarker testing

Abstract Background: Despite the growing importance of comprehensive biomarker testing in precision oncology, only approximately 65% of colorectal cancer (CRC) tumors undergo some level of molecular testing. Rural CRC patients are 20% less likely to receive recommended molecular testing (e.g. MSI) compared to urban patients. Barriers include limited provider awareness, logistical hurdles, financial constraints, and fragmented provider-patient communications. The Colorectal Cancer Alliance convened a collaborative partnership including non-profit, academia, community clinics and industry to launch a prospective study to increase the uptake of comprehensive biomarker tests among patients with CRC in these underserved populations. Methods: The initiative is designed as both a regional health communication campaign and a multi-modal quality improvement effort. Core components include hybrid patient navigation, education for patients and physicians, improved access to biomarker testing, and prospective longitudinal data collection. The study aims to recruit 100-120 patients with advanced CRC from two rural and one urban clinical sites. The study leverages the Alliance’s BlueHQ digital support platform to support consent, navigation, patient and provider education, and longitudinal data collection. The health communications campaign will be developed based on focus group input and evaluated by pre- and post-surveys. Longitudinal study endpoints will include knowledge of biomarker testing, updates on biomarker testing, and biomarker-driven care delivery. Results: Preliminary results are expected to be released after the study launch in early 2026. Outcomes will be measured through patient-reported data, navigation logs, and longitudinal tracking of testing uptake and treatment decisions. Key milestones before study launch include completion of messaging materials, site selection, navigator recruitment and training, and IRB protocol submission. Conclusions: This project models a scalable, equity-driven approach to improving access to biomarker testing in CRC care through collaborative, multi-stakeholder partnerships led by a mission-driven patient advocacy organization. This study adopts a patient-centric approach through community-informed messaging, flexible navigation strategies, and centralized patient engagement via BlueHQ to address persistent gaps in CRC precision oncology. The effectiveness of our comprehensive quality improvement intervention will inform future efforts to reduce disparities and support advancing comprehensive biomarker testing as a standard of care in oncology. Citation Format: Kimberly Lynn Newcomer, Erin Siegel, David Fenstermacher, Marianne Pearson, Lindsey Gladspell, Marc Mason. Colorectal cancer equity and impact (CLEAR-CRC): The colorectal cancer alliance's community-based model for advancing biomarker testing abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 2387.