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Lu Y, Meadows RJ, Gehr AW, Narra K, Bullock J, Ghabach B, Ojha RP. Comparative effectiveness of treatment approaches for early invasive breast cancer. Ann Epidemiol 2024; 96:66-72. [PMID: 38914249 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2024.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggested breast conserving therapy (BCT) and mastectomy have similar survival for early-stage breast cancer, whereas observational studies reported survival advantage for BCT. We aimed to address biases in observational studies to compare the effect of BCT and mastectomy on survival. METHODS We emulated a target trial using institutional cancer registry. We included adult women diagnosed with early invasive first primary breast tumors ≤ 5 cm between July 2011 and December 2017. We used cloning, censoring, and weighting to estimate risk differences (RDs) and risk ratios (RRs) for all-cause mortality and recurrence or all-cause mortality between BCT and mastectomy (reference). RESULTS Our study population comprised 534 observations with breast cancer. Median age was 56 years and 65 % were racial/ethnic minorities. The 8-year RD was 1.5 % (95 % confidence limits [CL]: -7.0 %, 9.8 %) and RR was 1.1 (95 % CL: 0.57, 2.2) for all-cause mortality. Results for recurrence or mortality were similar. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that target trial emulation to mitigate selection and immortal-time biases in observational studies may generate estimates that are more compatible with RCTs when comparing the effects of BCT and mastectomy on survival. Studies with longer follow-up and more events are needed to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lu
- Center for Epidemiology & Healthcare Delivery Research, JPS Health Network, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Rachel J Meadows
- Center for Epidemiology & Healthcare Delivery Research, JPS Health Network, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Aaron W Gehr
- Center for Epidemiology & Healthcare Delivery Research, JPS Health Network, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Kalyani Narra
- Oncology and Infusion Center, JPS Health Network, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Jolonda Bullock
- Oncology and Infusion Center, JPS Health Network, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Bassam Ghabach
- Oncology and Infusion Center, JPS Health Network, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Rohit P Ojha
- Center for Epidemiology & Healthcare Delivery Research, JPS Health Network, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
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Mulligan KM, Kakish H, Pawar O, Ahmed FA, Elshami M, Rothermel LD, Bordeaux JS, Sheng IY, Mangla A, Hoehn RS. Disparities in Receipt of Adjuvant Immunotherapy among Stage III Melanoma Patients. Am J Clin Oncol 2024:00000421-990000000-00207. [PMID: 38937882 DOI: 10.1097/coc.0000000000001117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Melanoma survival has greatly improved with the advent of immunotherapy, but unequal access to these medications may exist due to nonmedical patient factors such as insurance status, educational background, and geographic proximity to treatment. METHODS We used the National Cancer Database to assess patients with nonmetastatic cutaneous melanoma who underwent surgical resection and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) with tumor involvement from 2015 to 2020. We evaluated rates of adjuvant immunotherapy among this patient population based on patient, tumor, and facility variables, including insurance status, socioeconomic status, pathologic stage (IIIA-IIID), and treatment facility type and volume. RESULTS Adjuvant immunotherapy was associated with improved survival for stage III melanoma, with a slight increase in 5-year OS for stage IIIA (87.9% vs. 85.9%, P=0.044) and a higher increase in stages IIIB-D disease (70.3% vs. 59.6%, P<0.001). Receipt of adjuvant immunotherapy was less likely for patients who were older, low socioeconomic status, or uninsured. Low-volume and community cancer centers had higher rates of adjuvant immunotherapy overall for all stage III patients, whereas high-volume and academic centers used adjuvant immunotherapy much less often for stage IIIA patients compared with those in stages IIIB-D. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate inconsistent use of adjuvant immunotherapy among patients with stage III melanoma despite a significant association with improved survival. Notably, there was a lower use of adjuvant immunotherapy in patients of lower SES and those treated at high-volume centers. Equity in access to novel standards of care represents an opportunity to improve outcomes for patients with melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hanna Kakish
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology
| | | | | | | | | | - Jeremy S Bordeaux
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
| | - Iris Y Sheng
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Ankit Mangla
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH
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Hao S, Quinn AW, Iasiello JA, Lea CS, Popowicz P, Fu Y, Irish W, Parikh AA, Snyder RA. Correlation of Patient-Reported Social Determinants of Health With Census Tract Measures of Socioeconomic Disadvantage in Patients With GI Cancers in Eastern North Carolina. JCO Oncol Pract 2024:OP2300703. [PMID: 38759124 DOI: 10.1200/op.23.00703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Investigating the impact of social determinants of health (SDOHs) on cancer care in large populations relies on census estimates. Routine clinic SDOH screening provides timely patient-level information which could inform best practices. This study evaluated the correlation between patient-reported SDOH needs and population-level census tract measures. METHODS This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of a cohort of adult patients with GI malignancy screened for SDOHs such as financial insecurity, transportation, and food insecurity during initial outpatient evaluation at East Carolina University (formerly Vidant) Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC (November 2020-July 2021). Primary outcomes included number and severity of identified SDOH needs and area deprivation index (ADI) and census tract measures for each patient. Spearman rank correlations were calculated among patient-level needs and between patient-level needs and similar census tract measures. RESULTS Of 112 patients screened, 58.9% self-identified as White (n = 66) and 41.1% as Black (n = 46). A total of 50.5% (n = 54) resided in a rural county. The collective median state ADI rank was 7 (IQR, 5-9). The median household income was $38,125 in US dollars (USD) (IQR, $31,436-$48,934 [USD]). Only 12.5% (n = 14) reported a moderate or severe financial need. Among reported needs, financial need moderately correlated with food insecurity (coefficient, 0.46; P < .001) and transportation (coefficient, 0.45; P < .001). Overall, census tract measures and reported needs poorly correlated. Lack of transportation correlated with percentage of households without a vehicle (coefficient, 0.18; P = .03) and limited access to healthy foods (coefficient, 0.18; P = .04). CONCLUSION Given the poor correlation between reported and census needs, population-level measures may not accurately predict patient-reported needs. These findings highlight the importance of SDOH screening in the clinical setting to reduce health disparities and identify opportunities to improve care delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scarlett Hao
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Ashley W Quinn
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - John A Iasiello
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - C Suzanne Lea
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Patrycja Popowicz
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Yuanyuan Fu
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - William Irish
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Alexander A Parikh
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
- Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Rebecca A Snyder
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
- Division of Surgery, Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
- Department of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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Guo Y, Copado IA, Yonamine S, Jian Ma C, McLeod S, Arnold BF, McCulloch CE, Sun CQ. The Relationship Between Health Insurance Status and Diabetic Retinopathy Progression. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2024; 4:100458. [PMID: 38317868 PMCID: PMC10840328 DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2023.100458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Objective To determine if baseline diabetic retinopathy (DR) severity mediates the relationship between health insurance status and DR progression. Design Retrospective cohort study. Subjects Seven hundred sixteen patients aged ≥ 18 years with a diagnosis of type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus, and a diagnosis of nonproliferative DR (NPDR) were identified from the electronic health record of a tertiary academic center between June 2012 and February 2022. Methods NPDR severity at baseline was the proposed mediator in the relationship between insurance status and proliferative DR (PDR) progression. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between insurance status and NPDR severity at baseline, and Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the association between insurance status and time to PDR progression. To analyze the mediation effect of NPDR severity at baseline, a counterfactual approach, which decomposes a total effect into a natural direct effect and a natural indirect effect was applied. Main Outcome Measures Time to progression from first NPDR diagnosis to first PDR diagnosis. Results Of the 716 patients, 581 (81%) had Medicare or private insurance, 107 (15%) had Medicaid, and 28 (4.0%) were uninsured at their baseline eye visit. Uninsured or Medicaid patients had a higher proportion of moderate or severe NPDR at their baseline eye visit and a higher proportion of progression to PDR. After adjusting for confounders and NPDR severity at baseline, patients who were uninsured had significantly greater risk of progression to PDR compared with that of patients with Medicare/private insurance (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.63; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-6.25). Patients with Medicaid also had an increased risk of progression to PDR compared with that of patients with Medicare/private insurance, although not statistically significant (HR: 1.53; 95% CI: 0.81-2.89). NPDR severity at baseline mediated 41% of the effect of insurance status (uninsured vs. Medicare/private insurance) on PDR progression. Conclusions Patients who were uninsured were more likely to have an advanced stage of NPDR at their baseline eye visit and were at significantly greater risk of progression to PDR compared with patients who had Medicare or were privately insured. Mediation analysis revealed that differences in baseline NPDR severity by insurance explained a significant proportion of the relationship between insurance status and DR progression. Financial Disclosures Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yian Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California
- F.I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Ivan A. Copado
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California
- Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Sean Yonamine
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Chu Jian Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Stephen McLeod
- F.I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, California
- American Academy of Ophthalmology, San Francisco, California
| | - Benjamin F. Arnold
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California
- F.I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Charles E. McCulloch
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Catherine Q. Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, California
- F.I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, California
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Tibi S, Tieu V, Babayigit S, Ling J. Influence of Health Insurance Types on Clinical Cancer Care Accessibility and Quality Using All of Us Database. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:623. [PMID: 38674269 PMCID: PMC11051976 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60040623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Cancer, as the second leading cause of death in the United States, poses a huge healthcare burden. Barriers to access to advanced therapies influence the outcome of cancer treatment. In this study, we examined whether insurance types affect the quality of cancer clinical care. Materials and Methods: Data for 13,340 cancer patients with Purchased or Medicaid insurance from the All of Us database were collected for this study. The chi-squared test of proportions was employed to determine the significance of patient cohort characteristics and the accessibility of healthcare services between the Purchased and Medicaid insurance groups. Results: Cancer patients who are African American, with lower socioeconomic status, or with lower educational attainment are more likely to be insured by Medicaid. An analysis of the survey questions demonstrated the relationship between income and education level and insurance type, as Medicaid cancer patients were less likely to receive primary care and specialist physician access and more likely to request lower-cost medications. Conclusions: The inequities of the US healthcare system are observed for cancer patient care; access to physicians and medications is highly varied and dependent on insurance types. Socioeconomic factors further influence insurance types, generating a significant impact on the overall clinical care quality for cancer patients that eventually determines treatment outcomes and the quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jun Ling
- Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, California University of Science and Medicine, Colton, CA 92324, USA; (S.T.); (V.T.); (S.B.)
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Hershman DL, Vaidya R, Till C, Barlow W, LeBlanc M, Ramsey S, Unger JM. Socioeconomic Deprivation and Health Care Use in Patients Enrolled in SWOG Cancer Clinical Trials. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e244008. [PMID: 38546646 PMCID: PMC10979311 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.4008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Reducing acute care use is an important strategy for improving value. Patients with cancer are at risk for unplanned emergency department (ED) visits and hospital stays (HS). Clinical trial patients have homogeneous treatment; despite this, structural barriers to care may independently impact acute care use. Objective To examine whether ED visits and HS within 12 months of trial enrollment are more common among Medicare enrollees who live in areas of socioeconomic deprivation or have Medicaid insurance. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study included patients with cancer who were 65 years or older and treated in SWOG Cancer Research Network trials from 1999 to 2018 using data linked to Medicare claims. Data were collected from 1999 to 2019 and analyzed from 2022 to 2024. Main Outcomes and Measures Outcomes were ED visits, HS, and costs in the first year following enrollment. Neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation was measured using patients' zip code linked to the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), measured on a 0 to 100 scale for increasing deprivation and categorized into tertiles (T1 to T3). Type of insurance was classified as Medicare with or without commercial insurance vs dual Medicare and Medicaid. Demographic, clinical, and prognostic factors were captured from trial records. Multivariable regression was used, and the association of ADI and insurance with each outcome was considered separately. Results In total, 3027 trial participants were analyzed. The median (range) age was 71 (65-98) years, 1280 (32.3%) were female, 221 (7.3%) were Black patients, 2717 (89.8%) were White patients, 90 (3.0%) had Medicare and Medicaid insurance, and 660 (22.3%) were in the areas of highest deprivation (ADI-T3). In all, 1094 patients (36.1%) had an ED visit and 983 patients (32.4%) had an HS. In multivariable generalized estimating equation, patients living in areas categorized as ADI-T3 were more likely to have an ED visit (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.10-1.62; P = .004). A similar but nonsignificant pattern was observed for HS (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.96-1.93; P = .08). Patients from areas with the highest deprivation had a 62% increase in risk of either an ED visit or HS (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.25-2.09; P < .001). Patients with Medicare and Medicaid were 96% more likely to have an ED visit (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.56-2.46; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort of older patients enrolled in clinical trials, neighborhood deprivation and economic disadvantage were associated with an increase in ED visits and HS. Efforts are needed to ensure adequate resources to prevent unplanned use of acute care in socioeconomically vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Riha Vaidya
- SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Cathee Till
- SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - William Barlow
- SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Mike LeBlanc
- SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Scott Ramsey
- SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Joseph M. Unger
- SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
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Wilson BE, Nadler MB, Desnoyers A, Booth CM, Amir E. Meta-analysis of sex and racial subgroup participation rates and differential treatment effects for trials in solid tumor malignancies leading to US Food and Drug Administration registration between 2010 and 2021. Cancer 2024; 130:276-286. [PMID: 37751315 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lack of sociodemographic diversity in clinical trials limits the generalizability of results. The authors examined participation rates and effect modification by sex and race in oncology trials. METHODS The authors extracted outcome data stratified by sex and race for registration trials supporting US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval (2010-2021). Effect modification by race and sex was examined using quantitative and qualitative methods. A random-effects meta-analysis and pairwise comparison of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) outcomes was conducted by sex and race. RESULTS Ninety-five trials with 123 end points and 54,365 patients provided information on sex. Trial patients were more often male (n = 35,482; 65% vs. 56% male patients in US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results [SEER] data), although the proportion of male patients was similar after adjusting by tumor type (60% in FDA data vs. 58% in SEER data). There was no difference in pooled outcomes among male versus female patients (PFS: hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.92-1.07; p = .89; OS: hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.93-1.07; p = .90). In total, 111 trials including 74,217 patients provided information on race, and 68% of patients identified as White, compared with 72.3% in US SEER incidence data. Black patients were under-represented compared with US SEER incidence data, although ethnicity was poorly reported throughout the data set. In the authors' network meta-analysis by race, there were no statistically significant differences in PFS or OS outcomes. CONCLUSIONS No significant differences in PFS or OS outcomes were identified when the analyses were stratified by sex or race. Certain racial minorities remain under-represented, and clearer reporting of race and ethnicity is needed. Representation of female patients in FDA trials is similar to that in SEER data after adjusting for tumor type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke E Wilson
- Department of Oncology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology, Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle B Nadler
- Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexandra Desnoyers
- Centre des Maladies du Sein Deschênes-Fabia, Hôpital Saint-Sacrement, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Quebec-Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christopher M Booth
- Department of Oncology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology, Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eitan Amir
- Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Unger JM, Xiao H, Vaidya R, LeBlanc M, Hershman DL. Medicaid Expansion of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Participation of Patients With Medicaid in Cancer Clinical Trials. JAMA Oncol 2023; 9:1371-1379. [PMID: 37590003 PMCID: PMC10436183 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.2800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Importance The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion resulted in increased use of Medicaid insurance nationwide. However, the association between Medicaid expansion and access to clinical trials has not been examined to date. Objective To examine whether the implementation of ACA Medicaid expansion was associated with increased participation of patients with Medicaid insurance in cancer clinical trials. Design, Setting, and Participants Data for this cohort study of 51 751 patients were from the SWOG Cancer Research Network. All patients aged 18 to 64 years and enrolled in treatment trials with Medicaid or private insurance between April 1, 1992, and February 29, 2020, were included. Interrupted time-series analysis with segmented logistic regression was used. The monthly unemployment rate and presidential administration were adjusted to reflect potential differences in Medicaid use associated with economic conditions and national administrative policies, respectively. Data analysis was conducted between June 22, 2021, and August 5, 2022. Exposure Implementation of Medicaid expansion on January 1, 2014, was the independent exposure variable. Main Outcomes and Measures The number and proportion of patients by insurance type enrolled in cancer clinical trials over time were analyzed. Results Overall, data for 51 751 patients were analyzed. Mean (SD) age was 50.6 (9.8) years, 67.3% of patients were female, 41.1% were younger than 50 years, and 9.1% used Medicaid. A 19% annual increase (odds ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% CI, 1.11-1.28; P < .001) was identified in the odds of patients using Medicaid after the ACA Medicaid expansion, resulting in a 52% increase (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.29-1.78; P < .001) compared with what was expected in the number of Medicaid patients enrolled over time. The association was greater in states that adopted Medicaid expansion in 2014 to 2015 (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.15-1.38; P < .001) compared with other states (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.96-1.21; P = .20; P = .04 for interaction). By February 2020, the proportion of patients with Medicaid insurance was 17.8% (95% CI, 15.0%-20.8%; P < .001), whereas the expected proportion had ACA Medicaid expansion not occurred was 6.9% (95% CI, 4.4%-10.3%; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance Findings suggest that implementation of ACA Medicaid expansion was associated with increased participation of patients using Medicaid in cancer clinical trials. Improved participation in clinical trials for Medicaid-insured patients is critical for socioeconomically vulnerable patients seeking access to the newest treatments available in trials and for improving confidence that trial findings apply to patients of all backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Unger
- SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Hong Xiao
- SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Riha Vaidya
- SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Michael LeBlanc
- SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Dawn L. Hershman
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, New York
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9
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Mizusawa J, Sato H, Rubinstein LV, Fujiwara T, Yonemori K, Hirakawa A. Racial differences in longitudinal toxicities of anticancer agents in early phase cancer clinical trials. Cancer Med 2023; 12:18098-18109. [PMID: 37519123 PMCID: PMC10524029 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racial differences have been reported in toxicity outcomes for anticancer drug treatments. However, these observations were often from studies with small sample sizes, and many only reported the maximum grade of toxicity and no longitudinal information. This current analysis aims to investigate racial differences in longitudinal toxicities using a large-scale clinical trials database. METHODS Early-phase clinical trials sponsored by the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program at the National Cancer Institute, USA, that evaluated cytotoxic drugs and molecularly targeted agents between March 2000 and December 2012 were studied. Race was categorized as White, Black or African-American, and Asian. Each toxicity's grade prevalence, mean grade at each cycle, and time to develop grade 2 or higher toxicity was evaluated. RESULTS In total, 25,442 patients from 697 trials were included in this study. The number of patients categorized as White, Black, and Asian designations was 22,756 (89%), 1874 (7%), and 812 (3%), respectively. Notable findings include the rate of any grade of diarrhea in Black people was 26% and 21% lower than that of White and Asian people. The median time to the first grade 2 or higher event was 6 cycles in White people, 8 in Black people, and 6 in Asian people. The rate of any grade hyperglycemia was significantly higher in Asian people. CONCLUSIONS Although we identified several racial differences in longitudinal toxicities, most were of generally lower grade. Further study is needed to clarify the cause of racial differences in treatment-associated toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junki Mizusawa
- Biostatistics Section, Clinical Research Support Office, National Cancer Center Hospital/Biostatistics Division, Center for Research Administration & SupportNational Cancer CenterTokyoJapan
- Department of Global Health PromotionTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Hioryuki Sato
- Department of Clinical Biostatistics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Larry V. Rubinstein
- Biometric Research Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer InstituteNational Institute of HealthRockvilleMarylandUSA
| | - Takeo Fujiwara
- Department of Global Health PromotionTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Kan Yonemori
- Department of Breast and Medical OncologyNational Cancer Center HospitalTokyoJapan
| | - Akihiro Hirakawa
- Department of Clinical Biostatistics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
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10
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Unger JM, LeBlanc M, George S, Wolmark N, Curran WJ, O'Dwyer PJ, Schnall MD, Mannel RS, Mandrekar SJ, Gray RJ, Zhao F, Bah M, Vaidya R, Blanke CD. Population, Clinical, and Scientific Impact of National Cancer Institute's National Clinical Trials Network Treatment Studies. J Clin Oncol 2023; 41:2020-2028. [PMID: 36480773 PMCID: PMC10082246 DOI: 10.1200/jco.22.01826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE In the United States, the National Cancer Institute National Cancer Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) groups have conducted publicly funded oncology research for 50 years. The combined impact of all adult network group trials has never been systematically examined. METHODS We identified randomized, phase III trials from the adult NCTN groups, reported from 1980 onward, with statistically significant findings for ≥ 1 clinical, time-dependent outcomes. In the subset of trials in which the experimental arm improved overall survival, gains in population life-years were estimated by deriving trial-specific hazard functions and hazard ratios to estimate the experimental treatment benefit and then mapping this trial-level benefit onto the US cancer population using registry and life-table data. Scientific impact was based on citation data from Google Scholar. Federal investment costs per life-year gained were estimated. The results were derived through December 31, 2020. RESULTS One hundred sixty-two trials comprised of 108,334 patients were analyzed, representing 29.8% (162/544) of trials conducted. The most common cancers included breast (34), gynecologic (28), and lung (14). The trials were cited 165,336 times (mean, 62.2 citations/trial/year); 87.7% of trials were cited in cancer care guidelines in favor of the recommended treatment. These studies were estimated to have generated 14.2 million (95% CI, 11.5 to 16.5 million) additional life-years to patients with cancer, with projected gains of 24.1 million (95% CI, 19.7 to 28.2 million) life-years by 2030. The federal investment cost per life-year gained through 2020 was $326 in US dollars. CONCLUSION NCTN randomized trials have been widely cited and are routinely included in clinical guidelines. Moreover, their conduct has predicted substantial improvements in overall survival in the United States for patients with oncologic disease, suggesting they have contributed meaningfully to this nation's health. These findings demonstrate the critical role of government-sponsored research in extending the lives of patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Unger
- SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Michael LeBlanc
- SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Suzanne George
- Office of the Alliance Group Chair, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Norman Wolmark
- NRG Oncology, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | - Peter J. O'Dwyer
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Mitchell D. Schnall
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Robert S. Mannel
- Stephenson Cancer Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Sumithra J. Mandrekar
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Alliance Statistics and Data Management Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Robert J. Gray
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group–American College of Radiology Imaging Network Biostatistics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Fengmin Zhao
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group–American College of Radiology Imaging Network Biostatistics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Mariama Bah
- SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Riha Vaidya
- SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Charles D. Blanke
- SWOG Cancer Research Group Chair's Office, Oregon Health and Science University Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, OR
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11
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Grant SJ, Jansen M, Kuo TM, Rubinstein SM, Wildes TM, Tuchman SA, Muss HB, Lichtman EI, Charlot M. Cross-Sectional Analysis of Clinical Trial Availability and North Carolina Neighborhood Social Vulnerability. JCO Oncol Pract 2023; 19:e248-e262. [PMID: 36473128 PMCID: PMC9970296 DOI: 10.1200/op.22.00325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Residents of communities facing social vulnerability (eg, poverty) have limited access to clinical trials, leaving them susceptible to experiencing poor health outcomes. We examined the association between North Carolina county-level social vulnerability and available multiple myeloma (MM) trials. METHODS Using a novel data linkage between ClinicalTrials.gov, the 2019 American Community Survey, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Social Vulnerability Index, we investigated at the county level (1) availability of MM trial sites and (2) the relationship between Social Vulnerability Index and MM trial site availability using logistic regression. RESULTS Between 2002 and 2021, 229 trials were registered across 462 nonunique trial sites in 34 counties. Nearly 50% of trial sites were in academic medical centers, 80% (n = 372) of all trials were industry-sponsored, 60% (n = 274) were early-phase, and 50% (n = 232) were for patients with relapsed or refractory MM. Counties with low as opposed to high poverty rates had six times greater odds of having ≥ 1 MM trial sites (odds ratio [OR], 5.60; 95% CI, 1.85 to 19.64; P = .004). Counties with the lowest percentage of Black Indigenous Persons of Color and non-native English speakers had 77% lower odds (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.69; P = .011) of having ≥ 1 trial sites. The effect remained significant after accounting for the presence of five academic medical centers (n = 95; OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.6; P = .008) and adjustment for metropolitan, suburban, or rural status (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.81; P = .025). CONCLUSION Counties with the lowest poverty rates had more MM trial sites, whereas those with the lowest percentage of Black Indigenous Persons of Color populations had fewer MM trial sites. Multilevel efforts are needed to improve the availability and access to trials for socially vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakira J. Grant
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Matthew Jansen
- University Libraries, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Tzy-Mey Kuo
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Samuel M. Rubinstein
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Tanya M. Wildes
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Sascha A. Tuchman
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Hyman B. Muss
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Eben I. Lichtman
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Marjory Charlot
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
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12
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Silberman J, Sarlati S, Harris B, Bokhari W, Boushey H, Chesnutt A, Zhu P, Sitts K, Taylor TH, Willey VJ, Fuentes E, LeKrey M, Hou E, Kaur M, Niyonkuru C, Muscioni G, Bianchi MT, Bota DA, Lee RA. A digital approach to asthma self-management in adults: Protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials 2022; 122:106902. [PMID: 36049674 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2022.106902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Asthma self-management can improve symptom control, but adherence to established self-management behaviors is often poor. With adult asthma uncontrolled in over 60% of U.S. cases, there is a need for scalable, cost-effective tools to improve asthma outcomes. Here we describe a protocol for the Asthma Digital Study, a 24-month, decentralized, pragmatic, open-label, randomized controlled trial investigating the impact of a digital asthma self-management (DASM) program on asthma outcomes in adults. The program leverages consumer-grade devices with a smartphone app to provide "smart nudges," symptom logging, trigger tracking, and other features. Participants are recruited (target N = 900) from throughout the U.S., and randomized to a DASM or control arm (1:1). Co-primary outcomes at one year are a) asthma-associated costs for acute care and b) change from baseline in Asthma Control Test™ scores. Findings may inform decisions around adoption of digital tools for asthma self-management. Trial registration:clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04609644. Registered: Oct 30, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Siavash Sarlati
- Carelon Digital Platforms, Elevance Health, Palo Alto, CA, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
| | | | - Warris Bokhari
- Carelon Digital Platforms, Elevance Health, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Homer Boushey
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | | | | | - Kelly Sitts
- Carelon Digital Platforms, Elevance Health, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Thomas H Taylor
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California, Irvine, USA
| | | | | | - Matthew LeKrey
- Carelon Digital Platforms, Elevance Health, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Evan Hou
- Carelon Digital Platforms, Elevance Health, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Manpreet Kaur
- Carelon Digital Platforms, Elevance Health, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | | | - Guido Muscioni
- Carelon Digital Platforms, Elevance Health, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Daniela A Bota
- UCI Center for Clinical Research and Department of Neurology, UC Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Richard A Lee
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, UC Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA
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13
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Caston NE, Williams CP, Wan C, Ye S, Pywell C, Ingram SA, Azuero A, Sussell J, Patel S, Arend R, Rocque GB. Associations between geography, decision‐making style, and interest in cancer clinical trial participation. Cancer 2022; 128:3977-3984. [DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E. Caston
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Alabama USA
| | - Courtney P. Williams
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Alabama USA
| | - Clara Wan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Alabama USA
| | - Star Ye
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Alabama USA
| | - Cameron Pywell
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Alabama USA
| | - Stacey A. Ingram
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Alabama USA
| | - Andres Azuero
- Department of Family, Community, and Health Systems University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Birmingham Alabama USA
| | | | | | - Rebecca Arend
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Alabama USA
| | - Gabrielle B. Rocque
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Alabama USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Birmingham Alabama USA
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14
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Lu Y, Gehr AW, Anikpo I, Meadows RJ, Craten KJ, Narra K, Lingam A, Kamath S, Tanna B, Ghabach B, Ojha RP. Cardiotoxicity among socioeconomically marginalized breast cancer patients. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2022; 195:401-411. [PMID: 35971056 PMCID: PMC9464741 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-022-06695-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Evidence of cardiotoxicity risk related to anthracycline or trastuzumab exposure is largely derived from breast cancer cohorts that under-represent socioeconomically marginalized women, who may be at increased risk of cardiotoxicity because of high prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors. Therefore, we aimed to estimate cardiotoxicity risk among socioeconomically marginalized breast cancer patients treated with anthracyclines or trastuzumab and describe clinical consequences of cardiotoxicity. Methods We linked electronic health records with institutional registry data from a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program within a safety-net health system. Eligible patients were adult females, diagnosed with first primary invasive breast cancer between 2013 and 2017, and initiated anthracyclines or trastuzumab as part of first-line therapy. We estimated cumulative incidence (risk) of cardiotoxicity with corresponding 95% confidence limits (CL) using the Aalen-Johansen estimator with death as competing risk. Results Our study population comprised 169 women with breast cancer (103 initiated anthracyclines and 66 initiated trastuzumab). Cumulative incidence of cardiotoxicity was 21% (95% CL: 12%, 32%) at one year and 25% (95% CL: 15%, 35%) at three years among women who initiated trastuzumab, whereas cumulative incidence was 3.9% (95% CL: 1.3%, 8.9%) at one year and 5.9% (95% CL: 2.4%, 12%) at three years among women who initiated anthracyclines. More than half of patients with cardiotoxicity experienced interruption of cancer treatment. Conclusion Our findings suggest high risk of cardiotoxicity among socioeconomically marginalized breast cancer patients after initiation of anthracyclines or trastuzumab. Strategies are needed for optimizing cancer treatment effectiveness while minimizing cardiotoxicity in this population. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10549-022-06695-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lu
- Center for Epidemiology and Healthcare Delivery Research, JPS Health Network, 1500 South Main Street, Fort Worth, TX, 76104, USA
| | - Aaron W Gehr
- Center for Epidemiology and Healthcare Delivery Research, JPS Health Network, 1500 South Main Street, Fort Worth, TX, 76104, USA
| | - Ifedioranma Anikpo
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Rachel J Meadows
- Center for Epidemiology and Healthcare Delivery Research, JPS Health Network, 1500 South Main Street, Fort Worth, TX, 76104, USA
| | - Kevin J Craten
- Center for Epidemiology and Healthcare Delivery Research, JPS Health Network, 1500 South Main Street, Fort Worth, TX, 76104, USA
| | - Kalyani Narra
- Oncology and Infusion Center, JPS Health Network, Fort Worth, TX, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, TCU School of Medicine, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Anuradha Lingam
- Oncology and Infusion Center, JPS Health Network, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Sandeep Kamath
- Department of Cardiology, JPS Health Network, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Bhavna Tanna
- Department of Family Medicine, JPS Health Network, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Bassam Ghabach
- Oncology and Infusion Center, JPS Health Network, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Rohit P Ojha
- Center for Epidemiology and Healthcare Delivery Research, JPS Health Network, 1500 South Main Street, Fort Worth, TX, 76104, USA.
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15
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Okado I, Pagano I, Cassel K, Su'esu'e A, Rhee J, Berenberg J, Holcombe RF. Clinical Research Professional Providing Care Coordination Support: A Study of Hawaii Minority/Underserved NCORP Community Site Trial Participants. JCO Oncol Pract 2022; 18:e1114-e1121. [PMID: 35294261 PMCID: PMC10530402 DOI: 10.1200/op.21.00655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Although effective care coordination (CC) is recognized as a vital component of a patient-centered, high-quality cancer care delivery system, CC experiences of patients who enroll and receive treatment through clinical trials (CTs) are relatively unknown. Using mixed methods, we examined perceptions of CC among patients enrolled onto therapeutic CTs through the Hawaii Minority/Underserved National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program. METHODS The Care Coordination Instrument, a validated instrument, was used to measure patients' perceptions of CC among CT participants (n = 45) and matched controls (n = 45). Paired t-tests were used to compare overall and three CC domain scores (Communication, Navigation, and Operational) between the groups. Semistructured focus group interviews were conducted virtually with 14 CT participants in 2020/2021. RESULTS CT participants reported significantly higher total CC scores than non-CT participants (P = .0008). Similar trends were found for Navigation and Operational domain scores (P = .007 and .001, respectively). Twenty-nine percent of CT participants reported receiving high-intensity CC assistance from their clinical research professionals (CRPs). Content analysis of focus group discussions revealed that nearly half of the focus group discussions centered on CRPs (47%), including CC support provided by CRPs (26%). Other key themes included general CT experiences (22%) and CRP involvement as an additional benefit to CT participation (15%). CONCLUSION Our results show that patients on CTs in this study had a more positive CC experience. This may be attributable in part to CC support provided by CRPs. These findings highlight both the improved experience of treatment for patients participating in a trial and the generally unrecognized yet integral role of CRPs as part of a cancer CT care team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izumi Okado
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI
| | - Ian Pagano
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI
| | - Kevin Cassel
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI
| | | | - Jessica Rhee
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI
| | | | - Randall F. Holcombe
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI
- Current Affiliation: University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, VT
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16
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Gross CP, Meyer CS, Ogale S, Kent M, Wong WB. Associations Between Medicaid Insurance, Biomarker Testing, and Outcomes in Patients With Advanced NSCLC. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2022; 20:479-487.e2. [PMID: 35545174 DOI: 10.6004/jnccn.2021.7083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that patients with Medicaid experience lower-quality cancer care than those with commercial insurance. Whether this trend persists in the era of personalized medicine is unclear. This study examined the associations between Medicaid (vs commercial) insurance and receipt of biomarker testing, targeted therapy, and overall survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC). METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of patients who received an aNSCLC diagnosis from January 2011 to September 2019 using a nationwide US healthcare database. Eligible patients were aged 18 to 64 years with Medicaid or commercial insurance at diagnosis. Receipt of biomarker testing (ALK, EGFR, ROS1, BRAF, and PD-L1) was assessed. The likelihood of testing, biomarker-driven therapy (cancer immunotherapy or tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment), and mortality were compared by insurance type using adjusted Cox regression. RESULTS Our sample included 6,145 commercially insured and 865 Medicaid beneficiaries. Medicaid beneficiaries were more likely to be Black or African American (20% vs 9.3%; P <.001) and were less likely to have undergone biomarker testing (57% vs 71%; P <.001). In the adjusted analysis, Medicaid beneficiaries were less likely to have evidence of testing (hazard ratio [HR], 0.81; P <.001), any first-line treatment (HR, 0.72; P <.001), and first-line biomarker-driven therapy (HR, 0.70; P <.001). Medicaid beneficiaries with evidence of biomarker testing had a lower risk of death compared with those without evidence of biomarker testing (HR, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.06-1.52]; P =.010). Higher risk of death was observed in patients with Medicaid versus commercially insured patients (HR, 1.23; P <.001); this result remained unchanged after adjusting for biomarker testing (HR, 1.22; P < .001) but was partially ameliorated after adjustment for testing and treatment type (HR, 1.12; P =.010). CONCLUSIONS Medicaid beneficiaries with aNSCLC were less likely to receive biomarker testing and biomarker-driven therapies, which may in part contribute to a higher observed risk of mortality compared with commercially insured patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cary P Gross
- 1Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy and Effectiveness Research Center (COPPER), Yale Cancer Center, and.,2Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Craig S Meyer
- 3Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California; and
| | - Sarika Ogale
- 3Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California; and
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17
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Kehl KL, Zahrieh D, Yang P, Hillman SL, Tan AD, Sands JM, Oxnard GR, Gillaspie EA, Wigle D, Malik S, Stinchcombe TE, Ramalingam SS, Kelly K, Govindan R, Mandrekar SJ, Osarogiagbon RU, Kozono D. Rates of Guideline-Concordant Surgery and Adjuvant Chemotherapy Among Patients With Early-Stage Lung Cancer in the US ALCHEMIST Study (Alliance A151216). JAMA Oncol 2022; 8:717-728. [PMID: 35297944 PMCID: PMC8931674 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2022.0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Importance Standard treatment for resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) includes anatomic resection with adequate lymph node dissection and adjuvant chemotherapy for appropriate patients. Historically, many patients with early-stage NSCLC have not received such treatment, which may affect the interpretation of the results of adjuvant therapy trials. Objective To ascertain patterns of guideline-concordant treatment among patients enrolled in a US-wide screening protocol for adjuvant treatment trials for resected NSCLC. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study included 2833 patients with stage IB to IIIA NSCLC (per American Joint Committee on Cancer 7th edition criteria) who enrolled in the Adjuvant Lung Cancer Enrichment Marker Identification and Sequencing Trial (ALCHEMIST) screening study (Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology A151216) from August 18, 2014, to April 1, 2019, and who did not enroll in a therapeutic adjuvant clinical trial; patients had tumors of at least 4 cm and/or with positive lymph nodes. Statistical analysis was conducted from June 1, 2020, through October 1, 2021. Exposures Care patterns were ascertained overall and by sociodemographic and clinical factors, including age, sex, race and ethnicity, educational level, marital status, geography, histologic characteristics, stage, genomic variant status, smoking history, and comorbidities. Main Outcomes and Measures Five outcomes are reported: whether patients (1) had anatomic surgical resection, (2) had adequate lymph node dissection (≥1 N1 nodal station plus ≥3 N2 nodal stations), (3) received any adjuvant chemotherapy, (4) received any cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy, and (5) received at least 4 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. Results Of the 2833 patients (1505 women [53%]; mean [SD] age, 66.5 [9.2] years) included in this analysis, 2697 (95%) had anatomic surgical resection, 1513 (53%) had adequate lymph node dissection, 1617 (57%) received any adjuvant chemotherapy, 1237 (44%) received at least 4 cycles of adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy, and 965 (34%) received any cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy. Rates were similar across race and ethnicity. Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study found that among participants in a screening protocol for adjuvant clinical trials for resected early-stage NSCLC, just 53% underwent adequate lymph node dissection, and 57% received adjuvant chemotherapy, despite indications for such treatment. These results may affect the interpretation of adjuvant trials. Efforts are needed to optimize the use of proven therapies for early-stage NSCLC. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02194738.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth L. Kehl
- Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David Zahrieh
- Alliance Statistics and Data Management Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Ping Yang
- Alliance Statistics and Data Management Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Shauna L. Hillman
- Alliance Statistics and Data Management Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Angelina D. Tan
- Alliance Statistics and Data Management Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jacob M. Sands
- Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Geoffrey R. Oxnard
- Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Erin A. Gillaspie
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Dennis Wigle
- Alliance Statistics and Data Management Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Shakun Malik
- National Cancer Institute Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | | | - Karen Kelly
- University of California at Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento
| | - Ramaswamy Govindan
- Alvin J Siteman Cancer Center and Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | | | | | - David Kozono
- Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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18
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Myer PA, Kim H, Blümel AM, Finnegan E, Kel A, Thompson TV, Greally JM, Prehn JHM, O’Connor DP, Friedman RA, Floratos A, Das S. Master Transcription Regulators and Transcription Factors Regulate Immune-Associated Differences Between Patients of African and European Ancestry With Colorectal Cancer. GASTRO HEP ADVANCES 2022; 1:328-341. [PMID: 35711675 PMCID: PMC9151447 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastha.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Background and Aims Individuals of African (AFR) ancestry have a higher incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) than those of European (EUR) ancestry and exhibit significant health disparities. Previous studies have noted differences in the tumor microenvironment between AFR and EUR patients with CRC. However, the molecular regulatory processes that underpin these immune differences remain largely unknown. Methods Multiomics analysis was carried out for 55 AFR and 456 EUR patients with microsatellite-stable CRC using The Cancer Genome Atlas. We evaluated the tumor microenvironment by using gene expression and methylation data, transcription factor, and master transcriptional regulator analysis to identify the cell signaling pathways mediating the observed phenotypic differences. Results We demonstrate that downregulated genes in AFR patients with CRC showed enrichment for canonical pathways, including chemokine signaling. Moreover, evaluation of the tumor microenvironment showed that cytotoxic lymphocytes and neutrophil cell populations are significantly decreased in AFR compared with EUR patients, suggesting AFR patients have an attenuated immune response. We further demonstrate that molecules called "master transcriptional regulators" (MTRs) play a critical role in regulating the expression of genes impacting key immune processes through an intricate signal transduction network mediated by disease-associated transcription factors (TFs). Furthermore, a core set of these MTRs and TFs showed a positive correlation with levels of cytotoxic lymphocytes and neutrophils across both AFR and EUR patients with CRC, thus suggesting their role in driving the immune infiltrate differences between the two ancestral groups. Conclusion Our study provides an insight into the intricate regulatory landscape of MTRs and TFs that orchestrate the differences in the tumor microenvironment between patients with CRC of AFR and EUR ancestry.
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Key Words
- AFR, African
- African Americans.
- CMA, Composite Module Analyst
- CRC, colorectal cancer
- ChAMP, Chip Analysis Methylation Pipeline
- Colorectal Cancer
- DEGs, differentially expressed genes
- DMPs, differentially methylated CpG positions
- EUR, European
- FDR, false discovery rate
- Genomic Profiling
- Health Disparities
- MCP, microenvironment cell population
- MSI-H, microsatellite high
- MSI-L, microsatellite low
- MSS, microsatellite stable
- MTRs, master transcriptional regulators
- TCGA, The Cancer Genome Atlas
- TFBS, TF binding site
- TFs, transcription factors
- TMB, tumor mutation burden
- TSS, transcription start site
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvathi A. Myer
- Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY
| | - Hyunjin Kim
- St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee TN
| | - Anna M. Blümel
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ellen Finnegan
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alexander Kel
- GeneXplain GmbH, Wolfenbuettel, Germany
- BIOSOFT.RU, LLC, Novobirsk, Russia
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SBRAS, Novobirsk, Russia
| | | | | | - Jochen HM. Prehn
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Darran P. O’Connor
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard A. Friedman
- Biomedical Informatics Shared Resource, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Aris Floratos
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Sudipto Das
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland
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Hao S, Snyder RA, Irish W, Parikh AA. Association of race and health insurance in treatment disparities of colon cancer: A retrospective analysis utilizing a national population database in the United States. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003842. [PMID: 34695123 PMCID: PMC8575307 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both health insurance status and race independently impact colon cancer (CC) care delivery and outcomes. The relative importance of these factors in explaining racial and insurance disparities is less clear, however. This study aimed to determine the association and interaction of race and insurance with CC treatment disparities. STUDY SETTING Retrospective cohort review of a prospective hospital-based database. METHODS AND FINDINGS In this cross-sectional study, patients diagnosed with stage I to III CC in the United States were identified from the National Cancer Database (NCDB; 2006 to 2016). Multivariable regression with generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were performed to evaluate the association of insurance and race/ethnicity with odds of receipt of surgery (stage I to III) and adjuvant chemotherapy (stage III), with an additional 2-way interaction term to evaluate for effect modification. Confounders included sex, age, median income, rurality, comorbidity, and nodes and margin status for the model for chemotherapy. Of 353,998 patients included, 73.8% (n = 261,349) were non-Hispanic White (NHW) and 11.7% (n = 41,511) were non-Hispanic Black (NHB). NHB patients were less likely to undergo resection [odds ratio (OR) 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61 to 0.72, p < 0.001] or to receive adjuvant chemotherapy [OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.87, p < 0.001] compared to NHW patients. NHB patients with private or Medicare insurance were less likely to undergo resection [OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.91, p = 0.004 (private insurance); OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.66, p < 0.001 (Medicare)] and to receive adjuvant chemotherapy [0.77, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.87, p < 0.001 (private insurance); OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.91, p < 0.001 (Medicare)] compared to similarly insured NHW patients. Although Hispanic patients with private and Medicare insurance were also less likely to undergo surgical resection, this was not the case with adjuvant chemotherapy. This study is mainly limited by the retrospective nature and by the variables provided in the dataset; granular details such as continuity or disruption of insurance coverage or specific chemotherapy agents or dosing cannot be assessed within NCDB. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that racial disparities in receipt of treatment for CC persist even among patients with similar health insurance coverage and that different disparities exist for different racial/ethnic groups. Changes in health policy must therefore recognize that provision of insurance alone may not eliminate cancer treatment racial disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scarlett Hao
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Rebecca A. Snyder
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Public Health, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - William Irish
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Public Health, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Alexander A. Parikh
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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20
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Zhang L, Qu Z, Song A, Yang J, Yu J, Zhang W, Zhuang C. Garlic oil blocks tobacco carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced lung tumorigenesis by inducing phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 157:112581. [PMID: 34562529 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer caused one-quarter of all cancer deaths that was more than other cancers. Chemoprevention is a potential strategy to reducing lung cancer incidence and death, and the effective chemopreventive agents are needed. We investigated the efficacy and mechanism of garlic oil (GO), the garlic product, in the chemoprevention of tobacco carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced lung cancer in A/J mice and MRC-5 cell models in the present study. As a result, it was demonstrated that GO significantly inhibited the NNK-induced lung cancer in vivo and protected MRC-5 cells from NNK-induced cell damage. GO could induce the expressions of the phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes, including NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1), glutathione S-transferase alpha 1 (GSTA1), and antioxidative enzymes heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). These results supported the potential of GO as a novel candidate agent for the chemoprevention of tobacco carcinogens induced lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Zhuo Qu
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Aiwei Song
- Montverde Academy Shanghai, 508 South Hanqing Road, Shanghai, 201201, China
| | - Jianhong Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Jianqiang Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Wannian Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, China; School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Chunlin Zhuang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, China; School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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21
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Qureshi AI, Baskett WI, Huang W, Shyu D, Myers D, Lobanova I, Naqvi SH, Thompson VS, Shyu CR. Effect of Race and Ethnicity on In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with COVID-19. Ethn Dis 2021; 31:389-398. [PMID: 34295125 PMCID: PMC8288468 DOI: 10.18865/ed.31.3.389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To identify differences in short-term outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) according to various racial/ethnic groups. Design Analysis of Cerner de-identified COVID-19 dataset. Setting A total of 62 health care facilities. Participants The cohort included 49,277 adult COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized from December 1, 2019 to November 13, 2020. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome of interest was in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcome was non-routine discharge (discharge to destinations other than home, such as short-term hospitals or other facilities including intermediate care and skilled nursing homes). Methods We compared patients' age, gender, individual components of Charlson and Elixhauser comorbidities, medical complications, use of do-not-resuscitate, use of palliative care, and socioeconomic status between various racial and/or ethnic groups. We further compared the rates of in-hospital mortality and non-routine discharges between various racial and/or ethnic groups. Results Compared with White patients, in-hospital mortality was significantly higher among African American (OR 1.5; 95%CI:1.3-1.6, P<.001), Hispanic (OR1.4; 95%CI:1.3-1.6, P<.001), and Asian or Pacific Islander (OR 1.5; 95%CI: 1.1-1.9, P=.002) patients after adjustment for age and gender, Elixhauser comorbidities, do-not-resuscitate status, palliative care use, and socioeconomic status. Conclusions Our study found that, among hospitalized patients with COVID-2019, African American, Hispanic, and Asian or Pacific Islander patients had increased mortality compared with White patients after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, and do-not-resuscitate/palliative care status. Our findings add additional perspective to other recent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan I Qureshi
- Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Institutes and Department of Neurology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
| | - William I. Baskett
- Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
| | - Wei Huang
- Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Institutes and Department of Neurology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
| | - Daniel Shyu
- Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
| | - Danny Myers
- Tiger Institute for Health Innovation, Cerner Corporation, Columbia, MO
| | - Iryna Lobanova
- Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Institutes and Department of Neurology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
| | - S. Hasan Naqvi
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
| | - Vetta S. Thompson
- Brown School of Public Health Program, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
| | - Chi-Ren Shyu
- Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
- Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
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22
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Sae-Hau M, Disare K, Michaels M, Gentile A, Szumita L, Treiman K, Weiss ES. Overcoming Barriers to Clinical Trial Participation: Outcomes of a National Clinical Trial Matching and Navigation Service for Patients With a Blood Cancer. JCO Oncol Pract 2021; 17:e1866-e1878. [PMID: 34077244 DOI: 10.1200/op.20.01068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE There are numerous barriers to cancer clinical trial participation in the United States. This paper describes the approach and outcomes of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Clinical Trial Support Center (CTSC), whose nurse navigators assist patients with a blood cancer and their oncologists by identifying all appropriate trials based on clinical data and patient preference, facilitating informed and shared decision making, and minimizing enrollment barriers. METHODS Data on patients served from October 2017 to October 2019 were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analyses to determine demographic and clinical characteristics associated with enrollment. Reasons for nonenrollment were examined. RESULTS The CTSC opened 906 patient cases during this time frame. Among all US patients with a closed case (n = 750), the clinical trial enrollment rate was 16.1%. Among those with a known enrollment outcome after a trial search (n = 537), the enrollment rate was 22.5%. Multivariate analysis controlling for variables significant in bivariate analyses (insurance, treatment status, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and urban or rural residence) revealed that patients with Medicaid were less likely to enroll than those with private or commercial insurance (adjusted odds ratio, 0.054; CI, 0.003 to 0.899), and patients in treatment or maintenance were less likely to enroll than those relapsed or refractory to most recent therapy (adjusted odds ratio, 0.312; CI, 0.139 to 0.702). Primary reasons for nonenrollment were preference for standard of care (66.3%) and patient passed away (16.1%). CONCLUSION The CTSC is an effective, replicable model for addressing multilevel barriers to clinical trial participation. The findings highlight the need to increase opportunities for trial participation sooner after diagnosis and among patients with Medicaid.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kate Disare
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Rye Brook, NY
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Snyder RA, Hu CY, Zafar SN, Francescatti A, Chang GJ. Racial Disparities in Recurrence and Overall Survival in Patients With Locoregional Colorectal Cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 2021; 113:770-777. [PMID: 33231683 PMCID: PMC8168177 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djaa182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine the association between race and long-term cancer outcomes (recurrence and overall survival) within a population of US patients with locoregional colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS A cohort study of primary patient data merged with the National Cancer Database as part of a Commission on Cancer Special Study was performed. The study population was a random sample of patients undergoing surgery for stage I to III CRC between years 2006 and 2007 with 5 years of follow-up. Propensity-weighted multivariable Cox regression was performed with pooled results to yield statistical inferences. Prespecified sensitivity analysis was performed only for patients who received guideline concordant care (GCC) of primary CRC. All statistical tests were 2-sided. RESULTS The study population included 8176 patients, 9.9% (n = 811) Black and 90.1% (n = 7365) White. Black patients were more likely to be uninsured or underinsured, have lower household income, and lower educational status (all P < .001). Rates of GCC were higher among Black vs White patients with colon cancer (76.9% vs 72.6%, P = .02), and Black and White patients with rectal cancer were treated with radiation at similar rates (69.1% vs 66.6%, P = .64). Black race was independently associated with increased risk of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26 to 1.73) and mortality (HR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.18 to 1.59). In sensitivity analysis of only patients who received GCC, observed effects for recurrence (HR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.27 to 1.79) and overall survival (HR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.18 to 1.66) persisted. CONCLUSIONS Despite higher rates of GCC for CRC, Black patients experience a higher risk of recurrence and mortality compared with White patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Snyder
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Chung-Yuan Hu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Syed Nabeel Zafar
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - George J Chang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Health Services Research, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Singh AK, Chatterjee U, MacDonald CR, Repasky EA, Halbreich U. Psychosocial stress and immunosuppression in cancer: what can we learn from new research? BJPSYCH ADVANCES 2021; 27:187-197. [PMID: 34295535 PMCID: PMC8294471 DOI: 10.1192/bja.2021.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
It is generally believed that the physiological consequences of stress could contribute to poor outcomes for patients being treated for cancer. However, despite preclinical and clinical evidence suggesting that stress promotes increased cancer-related mortality, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms involved in mediating these effects does not yet exist. We reviewed 47 clinical studies published between 2007 and 2020 to determine whether psychosocial stress affects clinical outcomes in cancer: 6.4% of studies showed a protective effect; 44.6% showed a harmful effect; 48.9% showed no association. These data suggest that psychosocial stress could affect cancer incidence and/or mortality, but the association is unclear. To shed light on this potentially important relationship, objective biomarkers of stress are needed to more accurately evaluate levels of stress and its downstream effects. As a potential candidate, the neuroendocrine signalling pathways initiated by stress are known to affect anti-tumour immune cells, and here we summarise how this may promote an immunosuppressive, pro-tumour microenvironment. Further research must be done to understand the relationships between stress and immunity to more accurately measure how stress affects cancer progression and outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anurag K Singh
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Udit Chatterjee
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Cameron R MacDonald
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | - Uriel Halbreich
- Department of Psychiatry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, NY, USA
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25
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Osarogiagbon RU, Sineshaw HM, Unger JM, Acuña-Villaorduña A, Goel S. Immune-Based Cancer Treatment: Addressing Disparities in Access and Outcomes. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2021; 41:1-13. [PMID: 33830825 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_323523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Avoidable differences in the care and outcomes of patients with cancer (i.e., cancer care disparities) emerge or worsen with discoveries of new, more effective approaches to cancer diagnosis and treatment. The rapidly expanding use of immunotherapy for many different cancers across the spectrum from late to early stages has, predictably, been followed by emerging evidence of disparities in access to these highly effective but expensive treatments. The danger that these new treatments will further widen preexisting cancer care and outcome disparities requires urgent corrective intervention. Using a multilevel etiologic framework that categorizes the targets of intervention at the individual, provider, health care system, and social policy levels, we discuss options for a comprehensive approach to prevent and, where necessary, eliminate disparities in access to the clinical trials that are defining the optimal use of immunotherapy for cancer, as well as its safe use in routine care among appropriately diverse populations. We make the case that, contrary to the traditional focus on the individual level in descriptive reports of health care disparities, there is sequentially greater leverage at the provider, health care system, and social policy levels to overcome the challenge of cancer care and outcomes disparities, including access to immunotherapy. We also cite examples of effective government-sponsored and policy-level interventions, such as the National Cancer Institute Minority-Underserved Community Oncology Research Program and the Affordable Care Act, that have expanded clinical trial access and access to high-quality cancer care in general.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joseph M Unger
- Health Services Research, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Affiliate, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Sanjay Goel
- Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
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26
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Kini V, Mosley B, Raghavan S, Khazanie P, Bradley SM, Magid DJ, Ho PM, Masoudi FA. Differences in High- and Low-Value Cardiovascular Testing by Health Insurance Provider. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e018877. [PMID: 33506684 PMCID: PMC7955432 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.018877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Quality of care incentives and reimbursements for cardiovascular testing differ between insurance providers. We hypothesized that there are differences in the use of guideline‐concordant testing between Medicaid versus commercial insurance patients <65 years, and between Medicare Advantage versus Medicare fee‐for‐service patients ≥65 years. Methods and Results Using data from the Colorado All‐Payer Claims Database from 2015 to 2018, we identified patients eligible to receive a high‐value test recommended by guidelines: assessment of left ventricular function among patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction or incident heart failure, or a low‐value test that provides minimal patient benefit: stress testing prior to low‐risk surgery or routine stress testing within 2 years of percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Among 145 616 eligible patients, 37% had fee‐for‐service Medicare, 18% Medicare Advantage, 22% Medicaid, and 23% commercial insurance. Using multilevel logistic regression models adjusted for patient characteristics, Medicaid patients were less likely to receive high‐value testing for acute myocardial infarction (odds ratio [OR], 0.84 [0.73–0.98]; P=0.03) and heart failure (OR, 0.59 [0.51–0.70]; P<0.01) compared with commercially insured patients. Medicare Advantage patients were more likely to receive high‐value testing for acute myocardial infarction (OR, 1.35 [1.15–1.59]; P<0.01) and less likely to receive low‐value testing after percutaneous coronary intervention/ coronary artery bypass graft (OR, 0.63 [0.55–0.72]; P<0.01) compared with Medicare fee‐for‐service patients. Conclusions Guideline‐concordant testing was less likely to occur among patients with Medicaid compared with commercial insurance, and more likely to occur among patients with Medicare Advantage compared with fee‐for‐service Medicare. Insurance plan features may provide valuable targets to improve guideline‐concordant testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Kini
- Division of Cardiology University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora CO
| | | | | | - Prateeti Khazanie
- Division of Cardiology University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora CO
| | - Steven M Bradley
- Minneapolis Heart Institute and Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation Minneapolis MN
| | - David J Magid
- Division of Cardiology University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora CO
| | - P Michael Ho
- Division of Cardiology University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora CO.,Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System Aurora CO
| | - Frederick A Masoudi
- Division of Cardiology University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora CO
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Tosoni A, Gatto L, Franceschi E, Di Nunno V, Lodi R, Mura A, Di Battista M, Bartolini S, Brandes AA. Association between socioeconomic status and survival in glioblastoma: An Italian single-centre prospective observational study. Eur J Cancer 2021; 145:171-178. [PMID: 33486440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To date, no prospective study has been conducted to investigate the role of socioeconomic status (SES) on clinical outcome of glioblastoma (GBM) in Italy, where there is a National Health Service that provides universal coverage regardless of the patient's economic status. METHODS We performed a prospective observational study investigating the association between SES and survival in GBM patients at our institution, a hub centre for brain cancer research and treatment. We included GBM patients who underwent medical treatment or chemo-radiation between April 2017 and December 2017. The SES was measured using the income-brackets, attributed by the Italian Ministry of Finance on the basis of the income of the fiscal family unit, referring to the previous year. RESULTS One hundred and six patients were included in the study. In multivariate analysis, overall survival (OS) correlated significantly with higher-income (HR = 0.623.95% CI 0.467-0.832; p = 0.001) and MGMT methylation status (HR = 0.158.95% CI 0.082-0.304; P < 0.001). When adjusted for age, performance status and extension of surgery, survival benefit remained superior for higher-income HR = 0.641 (95% CI 0.478-0.858; p = 0.003) and MGMT methylated tumours HR = 0.167 (95% CI 0.084-0.331; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS SES is an important determinant of prognosis in GBM even in the Italian National Health Service, which provides universal, largely free and relatively comprehensive healthcare. Despite aspirations to achieve equality in healthcare, socioeconomic differences exist and may impact the clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Tosoni
- Department of Medical Oncology, Azienda USL of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lidia Gatto
- Department of Medical Oncology, Azienda USL of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Enrico Franceschi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Azienda USL of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Di Nunno
- Department of Medical Oncology, Azienda USL of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Raffaele Lodi
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonella Mura
- Department of Medical Oncology, Azienda USL of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Obeng-Gyasi S, O'Neill A, Zhao F, Kircher SM, Lava TR, Wagner LI, Miller KD, Sparano JDA, Sledge GW, Carlos RC. Impact of insurance and neighborhood socioeconomic status on clinical outcomes in therapeutic clinical trials for breast cancer. Cancer Med 2020; 10:45-52. [PMID: 33264502 PMCID: PMC7826479 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of insurance and neighborhood SES (nSES) on chemotherapy completion and overall mortality among participants in breast cancer clinical trials. The data sources for this study were two adjuvant breast cancer trials (ECOG E1199 and E5103) collectively including 9790 women. Insurance status at trial registration was categorized into private, government (Medicaid, Medicare, and other government type insurance), and self‐pay. An Agency for Healthcare Research Quality (AHRQ) nSES index was calculated using residential zip codes linked to county level data on occupation, income, poverty, wealth, education, and crowding. Logistic regression and Cox Proportional Hazard models estimated odds ratios (OR) for chemotherapy treatment completion and hazard ratios (HR) for mortality, respectively, for insurance status and nSES. The models adjusted for: race, age, tumor size, nodal status, hormone receptor status, and primary surgery. The majority of patients had private insurance at trial registration: E1199: 85.6% (4154/4854) and E5103: 82.4% (3987/4836); median SES index was 53.8 (range: 41.8‐66.8) and 54.1 (range: 44.5‐66.1), respectively. Patients with government insurance were less likely to complete chemotherapy treatment (E1199 OR (95%CI): 0.73 (0.57‐0.94); E5103 0.76 (0.64‐0.91)) and had an increased risk of death (E1199 HR (95%CI): 1.44 (1.22‐1.70); E5103 1.29 (1.06‐1.58)) compared to the privately insured patients. There was no association between nSES and chemotherapy completion or overall mortality. Patients with government insurance at trial registration appeared to face barriers in chemotherapy completion and had a higher overall mortality compared to their privately insured counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samilia Obeng-Gyasi
- Division of Surgical Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Anne O'Neill
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute-ECOG-ACRIN Biostatistics Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fengmin Zhao
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute-ECOG-ACRIN Biostatistics Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sheetal M Kircher
- Northwestern University, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Timisina R Lava
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Lynne I Wagner
- Department of Social Sciences & Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine; Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Kathy D Miller
- Indiana University School of Medicine
- Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Joseph DA Sparano
- Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Ruth C Carlos
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Cancino RS, Su Z, Mesa R, Tomlinson GE, Wang J. The Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Screening: Challenges and Opportunities. JMIR Cancer 2020; 6:e21697. [PMID: 33027039 PMCID: PMC7599065 DOI: 10.2196/21697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of death in the United States and across the globe. Cancer screening is an effective preventive measure that can reduce cancer incidence and mortality. While cancer screening is integral to cancer control and prevention, due to the COVID-19 outbreak many screenings have either been canceled or postponed, leaving a vast number of patients without access to recommended health care services. This disruption to cancer screening services may have a significant impact on patients, health care practitioners, and health systems. In this paper, we aim to offer a comprehensive view of the impact of COVID-19 on cancer screening. We present the challenges COVID-19 has exerted on patients, health care practitioners, and health systems as well as potential opportunities that could help address these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramon S Cancino
- Department of Family & Community Medicine, Joe R & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- Center on Smart and Connected Health Technologies, Mays Cancer Center, School of Nursing, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Zhaohui Su
- Center on Smart and Connected Health Technologies, Mays Cancer Center, School of Nursing, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Ruben Mesa
- Center on Smart and Connected Health Technologies, Mays Cancer Center, School of Nursing, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- Department of Medicine, Joe R & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Gail E Tomlinson
- Center on Smart and Connected Health Technologies, Mays Cancer Center, School of Nursing, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Joe R & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Jing Wang
- Center on Smart and Connected Health Technologies, Mays Cancer Center, School of Nursing, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- School of Nursing, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
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Buntin MB. Cancer, Coverage, and COVID-19. JAMA HEALTH FORUM 2020; 1:e200796. [DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2020.0796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Melinda B. Buntin
- Deputy Editor, JAMA Health Forum
- Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
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Snyder RA, Chang GJ. Insurance Status as a Surrogate for Social Determinants of Health in Cancer Clinical Trials. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e203890. [PMID: 32352526 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Snyder
- Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
| | - George J Chang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
- Department of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
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