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Knisely A, Wu CF, Kanbergs A, Agusti N, Jorgensen KA, Melamed A, Giordano SH, Rauh-Hain JA, Nitecki Wilke R. Racial and sociodemographic disparities in the use of targeted therapies in advanced ovarian cancer patients with Medicare. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2024:ijgc-2024-005599. [PMID: 39084695 DOI: 10.1136/ijgc-2024-005599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe sociodemographic and racial disparities in receipt of poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) and bevacizumab among insured patients with ovarian cancer. METHODS This retrospective study used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database to identify patients with advanced stage, high grade serous ovarian cancer diagnosed between 2010 and 2019. The primary outcome of interest was receipt of PARPi or bevacizumab at any time after diagnosis. χ2 tests were used to compare categorical variables. Factors independently associated with the receipt of PARPi and/or bevacizumab were identified using a multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS The cohort included 6242 patients; 276 (4.4%) received PARPi, 2142 (34.3%) received bevacizumab, and 389 (6.2%) received both. Receipt of either targeted treatment increased over the study period. On univariate analysis, patients who received either targeted therapy were younger (63% vs 48% aged <75 years; p<0.001), had a lower comorbidity index (86% vs 80% Charlson Comorbidity Index 0-1; p<0.001), and higher socioeconomic status (74% vs 71% high socioeconomic status; p=0.047) compared with those who did not receive targeted therapy. In the multivariable model, non-Hispanic black patients were less likely than non-Hispanic white patients to receive either targeted therapy (odds ratio 0.77; 95% confidence interval 0.61 to 0.98; p=0.032). Older patients (aged >74 years) were also less likely to receive PARPi or bevacizumab compared with those aged 65-69 years (all p<0.001). CONCLUSION Sociodemographic and racial disparities exist in receipt of PARPi and bevacizumab among patients with advanced ovarian cancer insured by Medicare. As targeted therapies become more commonly used, a widening disparity gap is likely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Knisely
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Chi-Fang Wu
- Department of Health Services Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Alexa Kanbergs
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Nuria Agusti
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kirsten A Jorgensen
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Alexander Melamed
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sharon H Giordano
- Department of Health Services Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jose Alejandro Rauh-Hain
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Roni Nitecki Wilke
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Canavan ME, Wang X, Ascha MS, Miksad RA, Showalter TN, Calip GS, Gross CP, Adelson KB. Systemic Anticancer Therapy and Overall Survival in Patients With Very Advanced Solid Tumors. JAMA Oncol 2024; 10:887-895. [PMID: 38753341 PMCID: PMC11099840 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.1129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Importance Two prominent organizations, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the National Quality Forum (NQF), have developed a cancer quality metric aimed at reducing systemic anticancer therapy administration at the end of life. This metric, NQF 0210 (patients receiving chemotherapy in the last 14 days of life), has been critiqued for focusing only on care for decedents and not including the broader population of patients who may benefit from treatment. Objective To evaluate whether the overall population of patients with metastatic cancer receiving care at practices with higher rates of oncologic therapy for very advanced disease experience longer survival. Design, Setting, and Participants This nationwide population-based cohort study used Flatiron Health, a deidentified electronic health record database of patients diagnosed with metastatic or advanced disease, to identify adult patients (aged ≥18 years) with 1 of 6 common cancers (breast cancer, colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer [NSCLC], pancreatic cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and urothelial cancer) treated at health care practices from 2015 to 2019. Practices were stratified into quintiles based on retrospectively measured rates of NQF 0210, and overall survival was compared by disease type among all patients treated in each practice quintile from time of metastatic diagnosis using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models with a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Data were analyzed from July 2021 to July 2023. Exposure Practice-level NQF 0210 quintiles. Main Outcome and Measure Overall survival. Results Of 78 446 patients (mean [SD] age, 67.3 [11.1] years; 52.2% female) across 144 practices, the most common cancer types were NSCLC (34 201 patients [43.6%]) and colorectal cancer (15 804 patients [20.1%]). Practice-level NQF 0210 rates varied from 10.9% (quintile 1) to 32.3% (quintile 5) for NSCLC and 6.8% (quintile 1) to 28.4% (quintile 5) for colorectal cancer. No statistically significant differences in survival were observed between patients treated at the highest and the lowest NQF 0210 quintiles. Compared with patients seen at practices in the lowest NQF 0210 quintiles, the hazard ratio for death among patients seen at the highest quintiles varied from 0.74 (95% CI, 0.55-0.99) for those with renal cell carcinoma to 1.41 (95% CI, 0.98-2.02) for those with urothelial cancer. These differences were not statistically significant after applying the Bonferroni-adjusted critical P = .008. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, patients with metastatic or advanced cancer treated at practices with higher NQF 0210 rates did not have improved survival. Future efforts should focus on helping oncologists identify when additional therapy is futile, developing goals of care communication skills, and aligning payment incentives with improved end-of-life care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen E. Canavan
- Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | | | | | - Rebecca A. Miksad
- Flatiron Health, New York, New York
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Gregory S. Calip
- Flatiron Health, New York, New York
- Program on Medicines and Public Health, Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles
| | - Cary P. Gross
- Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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Haque LY, Leggio L. Integrated and collaborative care across the spectrum of alcohol-associated liver disease and alcohol use disorder. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00939. [PMID: 38935926 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The public health impact of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), a serious consequence of problematic alcohol use, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) is growing, with ALD becoming a major cause of alcohol-associated death overall and the leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Comprehensive care for ALD often requires treatment of AUD. Although there is a growing body of evidence showing that AUD treatment is associated with reductions in liver-related morbidity and mortality, only a minority of patients with ALD and AUD receive this care. Integrated and collaborative models that streamline both ALD and AUD care for patients with ALD and AUD are promising approaches to bridge this treatment gap and rely on multidisciplinary and interprofessional teams and partnerships. Here, we review the role of AUD care in ALD treatment, the effects of AUD treatment on liver-related outcomes, the impact of comorbid conditions such as other substance use disorders, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, and the current landscape of integrated and collaborative care for ALD and AUD in various treatment settings. We further review knowledge gaps and unmet needs that remain, including the role of precision medicine, the application of harm reduction approaches, the impact of health disparities, and the need for additional AUD treatment options, as well as further efforts to support implementation and dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamia Y Haque
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore and Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Division of Addiction Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Erratum: Racial and ethnic disparities in early treatment with immunotherapy for advanced HCC in the United States. Hepatology 2024; 79:E148. [PMID: 38412142 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
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Jin W, Wang G, Dong M, Wang X. PDCL3 is a prognostic biomarker associated with immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:177. [PMID: 38494503 PMCID: PMC10946092 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01787-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phosducin-like 3 (PDCL3) is a member of the photoreceptor family, characterized by a thioredoxin-like structural domain and evolutionary conservation. It plays roles in angiogenesis and apoptosis. Despite its significance, research on the biological role of PDCL3 in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) remains limited. This study aims to explore the prognostic value and potential mechanisms of PDCL3 in cancer, particularly in LIHC, through bioinformatics analysis. METHODS RNA-seq data and corresponding clinical information for pan-cancer and LIHC were extracted from the TCGA database to analyze PDCL3 expression and survival prognosis. Differential expression of PDCL3 was analyzed using the HPA database. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed for PDCL3-associated genes. The relationship between PDCL3 expression and various immune cell types was examined using the TIMER website. Clinical samples were collected, and immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence experiments were conducted to validate the differential expression of PDCL3 in LIHC and normal tissues. In vitro assays, including CCK-8, wound healing, Transwell, and colony formation experiments, were employed to determine the biological functions of PDCL3 in LIHC cells. RESULTS Analysis from TIMER, GEPIA, UALCAN, and HPA databases revealed differential expression of PDCL3 in various tumors. Prognostic analysis from GEPIA and TCGA databases indicated that high PDCL3 expression was associated with poorer clinical staging and prognosis in LIHC. Enrichment analysis of PDCL3-associated genes revealed its involvement in various immune responses. TCGA and TIMER databases showed that high PDCL3 expression in LIHC decreased tumor immune activity by reducing macrophage infiltration. PDCL3 exhibited positive correlations with multiple immune checkpoint genes. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) experiments confirmed elevated PDCL3 expression in LIHC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. In vitro experiments demonstrated that PDCL3 promoted LIHC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and colony-forming ability. CONCLUSION PDCL3 is highly expressed in various cancer types. Our study suggests that elevated PDCL3 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with poorer prognosis and may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker for LIHC. PDCL3 may regulate the biological functions of LIHC by modulating immune infiltration. However, the precise regulatory mechanisms of PDCL3 in cancer warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhi Jin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Pudong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, 2800 Gongwei Road Pudong, Shanghai, 201399, People's Republic of China
| | - Ganggang Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Pudong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, 2800 Gongwei Road Pudong, Shanghai, 201399, People's Republic of China
| | - Meiyuan Dong
- Department of Endocrinology, Pudong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, 2800 Gongwei Road Pudong, Shanghai, 201399, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoliang Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Pudong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, 2800 Gongwei Road Pudong, Shanghai, 201399, People's Republic of China.
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Bteich F, Desai K, Zhang C, Kaur A, Levy RA, Bioh L, Wang A, Sultana S, Kaubisch A, Kinkhabwala M, Bellemare S, Fidvi S, Kanmaniraja D, Berkenblit R, Moon JY, Adedimeji A, Tow CY, Saenger Y. Immunotherapy Efficacy in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Diverse and Underserved Population in the United States. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2024; 11:257-269. [PMID: 38333221 PMCID: PMC10849901 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s436804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Incidence of hepatocellular cancer (HCC) in the Bronx is 61% higher than the rest of New York State. Underserved populations are not well represented in clinical trials of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Methods Demographics were tabulated for 194 patients treated with ICI at the Montefiore-Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC) between 2017 and 2022. Categorical variables were analyzed by Chi-squared test, and survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves. Results MECCC patients were 40.7% Hispanic and 20.6% Black, compared with 3% and 2%, respectively, in the landmark IMbrave 150 study. Median overall survival (mOS) on ICI was 9.0 months, 25.0 months for the 100 (51.5%) favorable-prognosis Child Pugh A (CPA) patients included in HCC clinical trials. Disease control rate (DCR) was 58.5% among 123 evaluable patients per mRECIST 1.1. Baseline liver function, as defined by CP and the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium (MELD-Na), correlated with survival (p < 0.001). Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and alcoholism were over-represented relative to National Cancer Institute (NCI) data (56.2% vs 4.7% and 38.7% vs 8.2%, respectively). HCV treatment correlated with prolonged survival in infected patients (p = 0.0017). AFP decline correlated with response (p = 0.001). Hispanic patients lived longer when clinical variables were controlled for (mOS 52 vs 23 months; p = 0.011). Conclusion In an underserved HCC population, ICI yielded a DCR of 58.5% and low rates of severe toxicity. This work highlights ICI efficacy in minority groups, a need for earlier HCC diagnosis and for studies of genetic and environmental factors in Hispanics with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernand Bteich
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Kush Desai
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Chenxin Zhang
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Anahat Kaur
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Rachel A Levy
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Lydia Bioh
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Aaron Wang
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Sharmin Sultana
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Milan Kinkhabwala
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Sarah Bellemare
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Shabnam Fidvi
- Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Robert Berkenblit
- Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jee-Young Moon
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Adebola Adedimeji
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Clara Y Tow
- Department of Medicine, Division of Transplant Hepatology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Yvonne Saenger
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, USA
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Monge C, Greten TF. Underrepresentation of Hispanics in clinical trials for liver cancer in the United States over the past 20 years. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e6814. [PMID: 38124450 PMCID: PMC10807616 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Accurate representation of racial and ethnic population subgroups in clinical trials is fundamental to ensure universal effectiveness of new therapies as well as to decrease disparities in oncology care. OBJECTIVE To determine whether Hispanic people are underrepresented in Phase I and II clinical trials for liver cancer in the United States. PARTICIPANTS A database search was performed in clinicaltrials.gov for interventional liver cancer studies based only in the US with reported results from September 1, 2002, to February 1, 2023. A total of 37 trials with 963 total patients met inclusion criteria and were included for further analysis. Proportion of total patients by race/ethnicity was calculated for non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native subpopulations. The age-adjusted incidence rates of liver and intrahepatic bile duct were acquired from the National Cancer Institute, Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. RESULTS Liver cancer incidence rates (per 100,000 people) were highest in Indians/Alaska Native people (18.8 cases) followed by Hispanic people (15.1 cases), then Asian people (12.5 cases), then non-Hispanic black people (11 cases), and non-Hispanic white people (7.5 cases). From a total of 91 phase I or II clinical trials for liver cancer in the US, 41% reported race/ethnicity enrollment data; among these, 62.8% of patients were non-Hispanic White, 15.9% were non-Hispanic black, 8.8% were Hispanic, 12.7% Asian, and 0.5% American Indian/Alaska Native. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Less than half of phase I or II clinical trials for liver cancer in the US in the last 20 years reported race/ethnicity data to clinicaltrials.gov. Compared to the relative incidence rate of liver cancer, non-Hispanic black people and Hispanic people are underrepresented in these clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Monge
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Tim F. Greten
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
- Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
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Victor MT, Zheng W, Park SJ, Jiang SIB, Guo TW. Insurance Status is Associated With Recurrence in Cutaneous Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2024; 170:132-140. [PMID: 37622529 DOI: 10.1002/ohn.504] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify socioeconomic factors influencing the presentation and outcomes of cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (cHNSCC). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Tertiary academic medical center with comprehensive cancer center. METHODS Patients treated for cHNSCC at a single institution between 2008 and 2022 were included. Demographic, socioeconomic data and disease characteristics were obtained from medical record abstraction. Outcome measures included tumor stage, number of distinct primaries, recurrence, and disease-related death. χ2 and Mann-Whitney tests were implemented to evaluate clinicopathologic distributions across disease stages. Survival analyses were performed using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS A total of 346 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age at presentation and length of follow-up was 70.8 and 3.1 years, respectively. The majority of the cohort was white, male, and English-speaking. 13.3% of patients were underinsured and 27.5% were immunosuppressed. Patients who presented with advanced disease were more likely to be underinsured (21.7% vs 9.6%, P = .006) and have a history of homelessness (8.5% vs 2.1%, P = .014). Immunosuppressed patients were more likely to be underinsured (P = .009). Insurance status (1.97 [1.06-3.66], P = .032) and immune status (2.35 [1.30-4.26], P = .005) were independently associated with worse recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSION Socioeconomic factors that influence access to care, such as insurance status, are associated with cHNSCC disease stage and disease recurrence. These factors may impose barriers that delay diagnosis and treatment. This may result in worse disease-related outcomes and greater treatment-associated morbidity for certain patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell T Victor
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego Health, La Jolla, California, USA
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Wynne Zheng
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego Health, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Soo J Park
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego Health, La Jolla, California, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego Health, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Shang I Brian Jiang
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Diego Health, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Theresa W Guo
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego Health, La Jolla, California, USA
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego Health, La Jolla, California, USA
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Hundt MA, Kardashian AA. Increasing pharmacoequity for people with cirrhosis. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken) 2024; 23:e0203. [PMID: 38860125 PMCID: PMC11164002 DOI: 10.1097/cld.0000000000000203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie A. Hundt
- Department of Medicine, Los Angeles General Hospital, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ani A. Kardashian
- Department of Medicine, Los Angeles General Hospital, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Yeo YH, Liang J, Lauzon M, Luu M, Noureddin M, Ayoub W, Kuo A, Sankar K, Gong J, Hendifar A, Osipov A, Friedman ML, Lipshutz HG, Steinberger J, Kosari K, Nissen N, Abou-Alfa GK, Singal AG, Yang JD. Immunotherapy and Transarterial Radioembolization Combination Treatment for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Am J Gastroenterol 2023; 118:2201-2211. [PMID: 37561061 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The efficacy and safety of combined immunotherapy and transarterial radioembolization (TARE) were suggested in preclinical and early-phase trials, but these were limited by small sample sizes. We sought to compare the efficacy of combined therapy and immunotherapy alone in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients with advanced HCC diagnosed between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019. We included patients who received combined therapy or immunotherapy alone as first-line treatment. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine predictors of combined therapy. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression approaches were used to identify predictors of overall survival and to compare hazards of mortality between the patients who received combined therapy and immunotherapy alone. RESULTS Of 1,664 eligible patients with advanced-stage HCC, 142 received combined TARE/immunotherapy and 1,522 received immunotherapy alone. Receipt of combination therapy was associated with care at an academic center and inversely associated with racial/ethnic minority status (Hispanic and Black individuals). The median overall survival was significantly higher in the combination group than in the immunotherapy alone group (19.8 vs 9.5 months). In multivariable analysis, combined therapy was independently associated with reduced mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 0.50, 95% confidence interval: 0.36-0.68, P < 0.001). Results were consistent across subgroups and in sensitivity analyses using propensity score matching and inverse probability of treatment weighting. DISCUSSION The combination of TARE and immunotherapy was associated with improved survival compared with immunotherapy alone in patients with advanced-stage HCC. Our findings underly the importance of large clinical trials evaluating combination therapy in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yee Hui Yeo
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jeff Liang
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Marie Lauzon
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Research Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Michael Luu
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Research Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Mazen Noureddin
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Walid Ayoub
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alexander Kuo
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kamya Sankar
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jun Gong
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Andrew Hendifar
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Arsen Osipov
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Marc L Friedman
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - H Gabriel Lipshutz
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jonathan Steinberger
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kambiz Kosari
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Nicholas Nissen
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ghassan K Abou-Alfa
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Medical College at Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amit G Singal
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Population & Data Sciences, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Ju Dong Yang
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Syrnioti G, Eden CM, Johnson JA, Alston C, Syrnioti A, Newman LA. Social Determinants of Cancer Disparities. Ann Surg Oncol 2023; 30:8094-8104. [PMID: 37723358 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-14200-0] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a major public health issue that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality across the globe. At its root, cancer represents a genetic aberration, but socioeconomic, environmental, and geographic factors contribute to different cancer outcomes for selected population subsets. The disparities in the delivery of healthcare affect all aspects of cancer management from early prevention to end-of-life care. In an effort to address the inequality in the delivery of healthcare among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, the World Health Organization defined social determinants of health (SDOH) as conditions in which people are born, live, work, and age. These factors play a significant role in the disproportionate cancer burden among different population groups. SDOH are associated with disparities in risk factor burden, screening modalities, diagnostic testing, treatment options, and quality of life of patients with cancer. The purpose of this article is to describe a more holistic and integrated approach to patients with cancer and address the disparities that are derived from their socioeconomic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Syrnioti
- Department of Surgery, New York Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Surgery, One Brooklyn Health-Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
| | - Claire M Eden
- Department of Surgery New York Presbyterian Queens, Weill Cornell Medicine, Flushing, NY, USA
| | - Josh A Johnson
- Department of Surgery, New York Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chase Alston
- Department of Surgery, New York Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Antonia Syrnioti
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloníki, Greece
| | - Lisa A Newman
- Department of Surgery, New York Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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12
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Saberi B, Gurakar A, Tamim H, Schneider CV, Sims OT, Bonder A, Fricker Z, Alqahtani SA. Racial Disparities in Candidates for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Liver Transplant After 6-Month Wait Policy Change. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2341096. [PMID: 37917059 PMCID: PMC10623194 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.41096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Racial disparities in liver transplant (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may be associated with unequal access to life-saving treatment. Objective To quantify racial disparities in LT for HCC and mortality after LT, adjusting for demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic factors. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study was a retrospective analysis of United Network Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement Transplant Network (OPTN) data from 2003 to 2021. Participants were adult patients with HCC on the LT waiting list and those who received LT. Data were analyzed from March 2022 to September 2023. Exposures Race and time before and after the 2015 OPTN policy change. Main Outcomes and Measures Proportion of LT from wait-listed candidates, the proportion of waiting list removals, and mortality after LT. Results Among 12 031 patients wait-listed for LT with HCC (mean [SD] age, 60.8 [7.4] years; 9054 [75.3%] male; 7234 [60.1%] White, 2590 [21.5%] Latinx/o/a, and 1172 [9.7%] Black or African American), this study found that after the 2015 model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) exception policy changes for HCC (era 2), the overall proportion of LT for HCC across all races decreased while the proportion of dropouts on the LT waiting list remained steady compared with patients who did not have HCC. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, Asian patients demonstrated the lowest dropout rates in both era 1 and era 2 (1-year dropout, 16% and 17%, respectively; P < .001). In contrast, Black or African American patients had the highest dropout rates in era 1 (1-year dropout, 24%), but comparable dropout rates (23%) with White patients (23%) and Latinx/o/a patients in era 2 (23%). In both eras, Asian patients had the highest survival after LT (5-year survival, 82% for era 1 and 86% for era 2), while Black or African American patients had the worst survival after LT (5-year survival, 71% for era 1 and 79% for era 2). In the multivariable analysis for HCC LT recipients, Black or African American race was associated with increased risk of mortality in both eras, compared with White race (HR for era 1, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.05-1.35; and HR for era 2, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.10-1.56). Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study of LT candidates in the US found that after the 2015 MELD exception policy change for HCC, the proportion of LT for HCC had decreased for all races. Black or African American patients had worse outcomes after LT than other races. Further research is needed to identify the underlying causes of this disparity and develop strategies to improve outcomes for HCC LT candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Saberi
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ahmet Gurakar
- Johns Hopkins University, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hani Tamim
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carolin V. Schneider
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Rheinisch Westfälisch Technische Hochschule Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Omar T. Sims
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Alan Bonder
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Zachary Fricker
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Saleh A. Alqahtani
- Johns Hopkins University, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Baltimore, Maryland
- Liver Transplant Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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13
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Grobman B, Mansur A, Babalola D, Srinivasan AP, Antonio JM, Lu CY. Suicide among Cancer Patients: Current Knowledge and Directions for Observational Research. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6563. [PMID: 37892700 PMCID: PMC10607431 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12206563] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a major public health concern associated with an increased risk of psychosocial distress and suicide. The reasons for this increased risk are still being characterized. The purpose of this study is to highlight existing observational studies on cancer-related suicides in the United States and identify gaps for future research. This work helps inform clinical and policy decision-making on suicide prevention interventions and ongoing research on the detection and quantification of suicide risk among cancer patients. We identified 73 peer-reviewed studies (2010-2022) that examined the intersection of cancer and suicide using searches of PubMed and Embase. Overall, the reviewed studies showed that cancer patients have an elevated risk of suicide when compared to the general population. In general, the risk was higher among White, male, and older cancer patients, as well as among patients living in rural areas and with lower socioeconomic status. Future studies should further investigate the psychosocial aspects of receiving a diagnosis of cancer on patients' mental health as well as the impact of new treatments and their availability on suicide risk and disparities among cancer patients to better inform policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Grobman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (B.G.); (A.M.)
| | - Arian Mansur
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (B.G.); (A.M.)
| | - Dolapo Babalola
- College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200285, Nigeria;
| | | | | | - Christine Y. Lu
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, The Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW 2064, Australia
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Ramkumar SP, Bhardwaj A, Patel A, Seetharaman K, Christman A, Amondikar N, Abouelella DK, Hussaini AS, Barnes JM, Adjei Boakye E, Watts TL, Osazuwa-Peters N. Differences in Receipt of Immunotherapy Treatment Among Patients With Head and Neck Cancer. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2023; 149:912-918. [PMID: 37651149 PMCID: PMC10472266 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2023.2420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Importance The US Food and Drug Administration approved immune checkpoint inhibitors (immunotherapy) for select cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in 2016. However, it is unclear whether there are clinical or sociodemographic differences among patients receiving immunotherapy as part of their care. Given the known disparities in head and neck cancer care, we hypothesized that there are differences in receipt of immunotherapy among patients with HNSCC based on clinical and nonclinical characteristics. Objective To characterize clinical and nonclinical factors associated with receipt of immunotherapy among older patients with HNSCC. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study included patients 65 years or older diagnosed with HNSCC (n = 4860) in a community oncology care setting. Electronic health records from Navigating Cancer were assessed from January 1, 2017, to April 30, 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures Multivariable logistic regression was used to characterize clinical (tumor stage [localized vs advanced] and anatomical subsite [oropharyngeal vs nonoropharyngeal]) and nonclinical (age, smoking history, race and ethnicity, sex, and marital status) factors associated with receipt of immunotherapy. Results In the study cohort of 4860 patients, 3593 (73.9%) were men; 4230 (87.0%) were White and 630 (13.0%) were of other races. A total of 552 patients (11.4%) had received immunotherapy. After adjusting for covariates, in the final model, White patients with HNSCC had 80% increased odds of receiving immunotherapy (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.80 [95% CI, 1.30-2.48]) compared with patients of other races. There were no statistically significant differences in the odds of receiving immunotherapy based on age, sex, or smoking history. Patients with nonoropharyngeal disease were significantly more likely to receive immunotherapy than those with oropharyngeal cancer (AOR, 1.29 [95% CI, 1.05-1.59]), as were those with advanced compared with local disease (AOR, 2.39 [95% CI, 1.71-3.34]). Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this cohort study suggest that among older patients with HNSCC, White patients may be more likely to receive immunotherapy as part of their care. Equitable access to immunotherapy and other treatment options will reduce cancer-related health disparities and improve survival of patients with HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya P. Ramkumar
- currently a medical student at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Dina K. Abouelella
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Adnan S. Hussaini
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Justin M. Barnes
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Eric Adjei Boakye
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Tammara L. Watts
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
- Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
- Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
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15
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Ginzberg SP, Gasior JA, Passman JE, Ballester JMS, Finn CB, Karakousis GC, Kelz RR, Wachtel H. Disparities in Presentation, Treatment, and Survival in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 2023; 30:6788-6798. [PMID: 37474696 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-13945-y] [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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disparities have been previously described in the presentation, management, and outcomes of other thyroid cancer subtypes; however, it is unclear whether such disparities exist in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). METHODS We identified patients with ATC from the National Cancer Database (2004-2020). The primary outcomes were receipt of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The secondary outcome was 1-year survival. Multivariable logistic and Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to assess the associations between sex, race/ethnicity, and the outcomes. RESULTS Among 5359 patients included, 58% were female, and 80% were non-Hispanic white. Median tumor size was larger in males than females (6.5 vs. 6.0 cm; p < 0.001) and in patients with minority race/ethnicity than in white patients (6.5 vs. 6.0 cm; p < 0.001). After controlling for tumor size and metastatic disease, female patients were more likely to undergo surgical resection (odds ratio [OR]: 1.20; p = 0.016) but less likely to undergo chemotherapy (OR: 0.72; p < 0.001) and radiation (OR: 0.76; p < 0.001) compared with males. Additionally, patients from minority racial/ethnic backgrounds were less likely to undergo chemotherapy (OR: 0.69; p < 0.001) and radiation (OR: 0.71; p < 0.001) than white patients. Overall, unadjusted, 1-year survival was 23%, with differences in treatment receipt accounting for small but significant differences in survival between groups. CONCLUSIONS There are disparities in the presentation and treatment of ATC by sex and race/ethnicity that likely reflect differences in access to care as well as patient and provider preferences. While survival is similarly poor across groups, the changing landscape of treatments for ATC warrants efforts to address the potential for exacerbation of disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara P Ginzberg
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Julia A Gasior
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jesse E Passman
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jacqueline M Soegaard Ballester
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Caitlin B Finn
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Giorgos C Karakousis
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rachel R Kelz
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Heather Wachtel
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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16
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Bharmjeet, Das A. Racial disparities in cancer care, an eyeopener for developing better global cancer management strategies. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2023; 6 Suppl 1:e1807. [PMID: 36971312 PMCID: PMC10440846 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1807] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last few decades, advancements in cancer research, both in the field of cancer diagnostics as well as treatment of the disease have been extensive and multidimensional. Increased availability of health care resources and growing awareness has resulted in the reduction of consumption of carcinogens such as tobacco; adopting various prophylactic measures; cancer testing on regular basis and improved targeted therapies have greatly reduced cancer mortality among populations, globally. However, this notable reduction in cancer mortality is discriminate and reflective of disparities between various ethnic populations and economic classes. Several factors contribute to this systemic inequity, at the level of diagnosis, cancer prognosis, therapeutics, and even point-of-care facilities. RECENT FINDINGS In this review, we have highlighted cancer health disparities among different populations around the globe. It encompasses social determinants such as status in society, poverty, education, diagnostic approaches including biomarkers and molecular testing, treatment as well as palliative care. Cancer treatment is an active area of constant progress and newer targeted treatments like immunotherapy, personalized treatment, and combinatorial therapies are emerging but these also show biases in their implementation in various sections of society. The involvement of populations in clinical trials and trial management is also a hotbed for racial discrimination. The immense progress in cancer management and its worldwide application needs a careful evaluation by identifying the biases in racial discrimination in healthcare facilities. CONCLUSION Our review gives a comprehensive evaluation of this global racial discrimination in cancer care and would be helpful in designing better strategies for cancer management and decreasing mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharmjeet
- Department of BiotechnologyDelhi Technological UniversityDelhi110042India
| | - Asmita Das
- Department of BiotechnologyDelhi Technological UniversityDelhi110042India
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17
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Monge C, Maldonado JA, McGlynn KA, Greten TF. Hispanic Individuals are Underrepresented in Phase III Clinical Trials for Advanced Liver Cancer in the United States. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2023; 10:1223-1235. [PMID: 37533601 PMCID: PMC10390714 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s412446] [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: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hispanic individuals comprise the second-largest subpopulation after non-Hispanic White (NHW) individuals in the United States (US). We compared the relative contribution of Hispanic individuals to the ten most common causes of cancer-related deaths and studied enrollment of Hispanic patients in multinational phase III advanced liver cancer trials with the aim to investigate whether racial subpopulations are adequately represented in liver cancer trials. Methods Relative cancer incidence rates in Hispanic individuals, NHW individuals, non-Hispanic black (NHB) individuals, and Asian individuals were obtained from both the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United States Cancer Statistics (USCS) database. Searching PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, we identified phase III clinical trials studying advanced liver cancer in the last ten years and collected enrollment for each race and ethnicity. Incidence rates of liver cancer and enrollment rates in phase III trials were compared by race and ethnicity. Results The cancer type with the relatively highest contribution of Hispanic individuals was liver cancer. From 2015 to 2019, 15.1% of liver cancer cases occurred in Hispanic individuals compared to 12.5% in Asian individuals, 11% in NHB individuals, and 7.5% in NHW individuals. In the last ten years, Hispanic individuals made up 1.6% of patients and NHB individuals 1.3% of patients included in phase III multinational liver cancer trials, compared to 31% NHW individuals and 47% Asian individuals. Conclusion Hispanic individuals are disproportionately underrepresented in multinational phase III clinical trials for liver cancer despite having the highest relative incidence rates among the four major racial or ethnic groups in the US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Monge
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - J Alberto Maldonado
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Katherine A McGlynn
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tim F Greten
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- NCI CCR Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Betheda, MD, USA
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18
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Dhanasekaran R, Suzuki H, Lemaitre L, Kubota N, Hoshida Y. Molecular and immune landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma to guide therapeutic decision-making. Hepatology 2023:01515467-990000000-00480. [PMID: 37300379 PMCID: PMC10713867 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Liver cancer, primarily HCC, exhibits highly heterogeneous histological and molecular aberrations across tumors and within individual tumor nodules. Such intertumor and intratumor heterogeneities may lead to diversity in the natural history of disease progression and various clinical disparities across the patients. Recently developed multimodality, single-cell, and spatial omics profiling technologies have enabled interrogation of the intertumor/intratumor heterogeneity in the cancer cells and the tumor immune microenvironment. These features may influence the natural history and efficacy of emerging therapies targeting novel molecular and immune pathways, some of which had been deemed undruggable. Thus, comprehensive characterization of the heterogeneities at various levels may facilitate the discovery of biomarkers that enable personalized and rational treatment decisions, and optimize treatment efficacy while minimizing the risk of adverse effects. Such companion biomarkers will also refine HCC treatment algorithms across disease stages for cost-effective patient management by optimizing the allocation of limited medical resources. Despite this promise, the complexity of the intertumor/intratumor heterogeneity and ever-expanding inventory of therapeutic agents and regimens have made clinical evaluation and translation of biomarkers increasingly challenging. To address this issue, novel clinical trial designs have been proposed and incorporated into recent studies. In this review, we discuss the latest findings in the molecular and immune landscape of HCC for their potential and utility as biomarkers, the framework of evaluation and clinical application of predictive/prognostic biomarkers, and ongoing biomarker-guided therapeutic clinical trials. These new developments may revolutionize patient care and substantially impact the still dismal HCC mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hiroyuki Suzuki
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka
| | - Lea Lemaitre
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Naoto Kubota
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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Mesoporous Nanoparticles for Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver Cancer in the Era of Precise Medicine. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14091760. [PMID: 36145508 PMCID: PMC9500788 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer is the seventh-most-common cancer worldwide and the fourth-leading cause of cancer mortality. In the current era of precision medicine, the diagnosis and management of liver cancer are full of challenges and prospects. Mesoporous nanoparticles are often designed as specific carriers of drugs and imaging agents because of their special morphology and physical and chemical properties. In recent years, the design of the elemental composition and morphology of mesoporous nanoparticles have greatly improved their drug-loading efficiency, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Especially in the field of primary liver cancer, mesoporous nanoparticles have been modified as highly tumor-specific imaging contrast agents and targeting therapeutic medicine. Various generations of complexes and structures have been determined for the complicated clinical management requirements. In this review, we summarize these advanced mesoporous designs in the different diagnostic and therapeutic fields of liver cancer and discuss the relevant advantages and disadvantages of transforming applications. By comparing the material properties, drug-delivery characteristics and application methods of different kinds of mesoporous materials in liver cancer, we try to help determine the most suitable drug carriers and information media for future clinical trials. We hope to improve the fabrication of biomedical mesoporous nanoparticles and provide direct evidence for specific cancer management.
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Kardashian A, Nephew LD. Achieving health equity in liver disease pharmacotherapy. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 19:489-490. [PMID: 35581340 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-022-00632-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ani Kardashian
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Lauren D Nephew
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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