Work

Advancing Prostate Cancer Survivorship through Transatlantic Consortium Science: The iCCaRE Initiative

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Black/African American populations, globally, bear the greatest prostate cancer burden compared with other racial/ethnic groups. Addressing prostate cancer disparities in Black men is complex, requiring a patient-centered, community-centric, and comprehensive approach. This study integrates Inclusive Cancer Care Research Equity (iCCaRE) Consortium findings and broader literature to address unmet needs in survivorship care. The iCCaRE Consortium implemented five complementary pilot studies using mixed-methods designs, including feasibility trials, qualitative research, and observational analyses across the United States and sub-Saharan Africa. Descriptive statistics, subgroup analyses, and qualitative thematic analyses were performed across these studies. Collectively, projects addressed multilevel determinants, including social, behavioral, and biological drivers of disparities. Project 1 implemented a Virtual Realty Assistant across clinical and community settings, with ongoing evaluation in pragmatic trials. Project 2 showed strong patient preference for home-based cancer care. Project 3 demonstrated trends toward improved health-related quality of life. Project 4 identified key themes influencing survivorship experiences. Project 5 identified biological mechanisms linking stress, immune modulation, and symptom burden. The iCCaRE pilot projects demonstrate the feasibility and early impact of a consortium-based, transdisciplinary approach to addressing prostate cancer disparities in Black men. These findings highlight the importance of integrating patient-centered interventions, community engagement, and biological insights to inform scalable strategies aimed at improving survivorship outcomes and advancing health equity. The iCCaRE Consortium demonstrates that a transatlantic, patient-centered, and multidisciplinary approach integrating social, clinical, and biological factors can generate scalable strategies to improve survivorship outcomes and advance equity in prostate cancer care for Black men. SIGNIFICANCE: Black men experience the highest global burden of prostate cancer, yet disparities persist due to fragmented research and limited infrastructure. The iCCaRE Consortium demonstrates how coordinated, community-engaged consortium science can accelerate equity-driven research, expand minority investigator leadership, and generate sustained funding and scholarly productivity. By integrating survivors, advocates, scientists, and clinicians across continents, iCCaRE establishes a scalable model to reduce prostate cancer disparities and advance health equity worldwide.

Source: Cancer Research Communications

DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-26-0165