Introduction: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. As with other cancer types, underrepresented populations have a higher prevalence of PDAC and worse overall outcomes. In Oregon, the incidence of PDAC is >2-times higher among Native American (NA) communities as compared to the rest of the population nationwide. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that aligning diverse experts in the field of PDAC research and the Knight Cancer Institute’s Community Outreach, Research and Engagement (CORE) team with local Tribes will allow improve healthcare and wellness among the NA population by identifying and addressing barriers to the review and implementation of research in NA communities. Methods: By fostering the connections of NA healthcare providers within OHSU’s Knight Cancer Institute and Brenden Colson Center for Pancreatic Care with the established CORE team, we have initiated a collaboration with Oregon’s largest Tribal community, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Following the adaptation of CORE’s research review framework alongside a Tribal community and the direction from Oregon Tribal communities utilizing our innovative ROCR System, we will then propose the implementation of a promising clinical test that subtypes diabetes (i.e., a candidate, prominent risk factor for PDAC) and we will establish the first NA PDAC genetic registry. Results/conclusions: We have successfully initiated a collaboration with the Warm Springs community, which will serve as a template that can be used in collaboration with other communities to provide meaningful improvement in PDAC care for NAs across the nation.
