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Gaito S, Aznar MC, Burnet NG, Crellin A, France A, Indelicato D, Kirkby KJ, Pan S, Whitfield G, Smith E. Assessing Equity of Access to Proton Beam Therapy: A Literature Review. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2023; 35:e528-e536. [PMID: 37296036 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2023.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Proton beam therapy (PBT) is one of the most advanced radiotherapy technologies, with growing evidence to support its use in specific clinical scenarios and exponential growth of demand and capacity worldwide over the past few decades. However, geographical inequalities persist in the distribution of PBT centres, which translate into variations in access and use of this technology. The aim of this work was to look at the factors that contribute to these inequalities, to help raise awareness among stakeholders, governments and policy makers. A literature search was conducted using the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes (PICO) criteria. The same search strategy was run in Embase and Medline and identified 242 records, which were screened for manual review. Of these, 24 were deemed relevant and were included in this analysis. Most of the 24 publications included in this review originated from the USA (22/24) and involved paediatric patients, teenagers and young adults (61% for children and/or teenagers and young adults versus 39% for adults). The most reported indicator of disparity was socioeconomic status (16/24), followed by geographical location (13/24). All the studies evaluated in this review showed disparities in the access to PBT. As paediatric patients make up a significant proportion of the PBT-eligible patients, equity of access to PBT also raises ethical considerations. Therefore, further research is needed into the equity of access to PBT to reduce the care gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Gaito
- Proton Clinical Outcomes Unit, The Christie NHS Proton Beam Therapy Centre, Manchester, UK; Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Department of Proton Beam Therapy, The Christie Proton Beam Therapy Centre, Manchester, UK.
| | - M C Aznar
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - N G Burnet
- Department of Proton Beam Therapy, The Christie Proton Beam Therapy Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - A Crellin
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; National Lead Proton Beam Therapy NHS England, UK
| | - A France
- Proton Clinical Outcomes Unit, The Christie NHS Proton Beam Therapy Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - D Indelicato
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - K J Kirkby
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Department of Proton Beam Therapy, The Christie Proton Beam Therapy Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - S Pan
- Department of Proton Beam Therapy, The Christie Proton Beam Therapy Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - G Whitfield
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Department of Proton Beam Therapy, The Christie Proton Beam Therapy Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - E Smith
- Proton Clinical Outcomes Unit, The Christie NHS Proton Beam Therapy Centre, Manchester, UK; Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Department of Proton Beam Therapy, The Christie Proton Beam Therapy Centre, Manchester, UK
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Nogueira LM, Sineshaw HM, Jemal A, Pollack CE, Efstathiou JA, Yabroff KR. Association of Race With Receipt of Proton Beam Therapy for Patients With Newly Diagnosed Cancer in the US, 2004-2018. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e228970. [PMID: 35471569 PMCID: PMC9044116 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.8970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Black patients are less likely than White patients to receive guideline-concordant cancer care in the US. Proton beam therapy (PBT) is a potentially superior technology to photon radiotherapy for tumors with complex anatomy, tumors surrounded by sensitive tissues, and childhood cancers. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether there are racial disparities in the receipt of PBT among Black and White individuals diagnosed with all PBT-eligible cancers in the US. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study evaluated Black and White individuals diagnosed with PBT-eligible cancers between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2018, in the National Cancer Database, a nationwide hospital-based cancer registry that collects data on radiation treatment, even when it is received outside the reporting facility. American Society of Radiation Oncology model policies were used to classify patients into those for whom PBT is the recommended radiation therapy modality (group 1) and those for whom evidence of PBT efficacy is still under investigation (group 2). Propensity score matching was used to ensure comparability of Black and White patients' clinical characteristics and regional availability of PBT according to the National Academy of Medicine's definition of disparities. Data analysis was performed from October 4, 2021, to February 22, 2022. EXPOSURE Patients' self-identified race was ascertained from medical records. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The main outcome was receipt of PBT, with disparities in this therapy's use evaluated with logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Of the 5 225 929 patients who were eligible to receive PBT and included in the study, 13.6% were Black, 86.4% were White, and 54.3% were female. The mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 63.2 (12.4) years. Black patients were less likely to be treated with PBT than their White counterparts (0.3% vs 0.5%; odds ratio [OR], 0.67; 95% CI, 0.64-0.71). Racial disparities were greater for group 1 cancers (0.4% vs 0.8%; OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.44-0.55) than group 2 cancers (0.3% vs 0.4%; OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.70-0.80). Racial disparities in PBT receipt among group 1 cancers increased over time (annual percent change = 0.09, P < .001) and were greatest in 2018, the most recent year of available data. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cross-sectional study, Black patients were less likely to receive PBT than their White counterparts, and disparities were greatest for cancers for which PBT was the recommended radiation therapy modality. These findings suggest that efforts other than increasing the number of facilities that provide PBT will be needed to eliminate disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia M. Nogueira
- Department of Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Helmneh M. Sineshaw
- Department of Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ahmedin Jemal
- Department of Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Craig E. Pollack
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - K. Robin Yabroff
- Department of Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
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Tarnasky AM, Achey MA, Wachsmuth LP, Williamson H, Thomas SM, Commander SJ, Leraas H, Driscoll T, Tracy ET. Non-inferiority of fragmented care for high-risk pediatric neuroblastoma patients: a single institution analysis. Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2021; 38:731-744. [PMID: 33970762 DOI: 10.1080/08880018.2021.1922557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric neuroblastoma (NB) patients receive multi-modal therapy and may experience care fragmented among multiple institutions with a significant travel burden, which has been associated with poor outcomes for some adult cancers. We hypothesized that fragmented care for pediatric NB patients is associated with inferior outcomes compared to treatment consolidated at one location. We reviewed paper and electronic records for pediatric NB patients who received ≥1 hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) at Duke from 1990-2017. Fragmented care was defined by treatment at >1 institution and grouped by 2 institutions vs. 3+ institutions. Distances were calculated using Google Maps. To compare all care groups, we used Fisher's Exact and Kruskal-Wallis tests for demographic and treatment characteristics, Kaplan-Meier for unadjusted overall survival (OS), and Cox proportional hazards for factors associated with OS. Of 127 eligible patients, 102 (80.3%) patients experienced fragmented care, with 17 treated at 3+ facilities. Kaplan-Meier analysis did not associate fragmented care with increased mortality (log-rank p = 0.13). With multivariate analysis, only earlier diagnostic decade and greater distance to HSCT remained significantly associated with worsened OS. In this single institutional study, we found fragmented care did not impact overall survival. Worsened overall survival was associated with increased travel distance for HSCT and further research should aim to improve supportive processes for patients undergoing HSCT for high-risk neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M Tarnasky
- School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Meredith A Achey
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Luke P Wachsmuth
- School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Samantha M Thomas
- Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sarah Jane Commander
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Harold Leraas
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tim Driscoll
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Elisabeth T Tracy
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Tarnasky AM, Olivere LA, Ledbetter L, Tracy ET. Examining the Effect of Travel Distance to Pediatric Cancer Centers and Rurality on Survival and Treatment Experiences: A Systematic Review. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2021; 43:159-171. [PMID: 33625091 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Accessing pediatric cancer treatment remains problematic for rural families or those living at increased distances from specialized centers. Rural adult cancer patients or those living far removed from treatment may present with later stage disease, receive different treatments than their closer counterparts, and experience worsened survival. While the financial and psychosocial strain of increased travel is well documented, effects of travel distance on similar outcomes for pediatric cancer patients remain ill-defined. We conducted a systematic review to synthesize literature examining the effect of travel distance and/or rurality (as a proxy for distance) on pediatric cancer treatment experiences and survival outcomes. Included studies examined travel distance to specialized centers or rural status for patients above 21 years of age. Studies were excluded if they focused on financial or quality of life outcomes. We analyzed 24 studies covering myriad malignancies and outcomes, including location of care, clinical trial participation, and likelihood of receiving specialized treatments such as stem cell transplants or proton beam therapy. Most were retrospective, and 9 were conducted outside the United States. While some studies suggest rural patients may experience worsened survival and those traveling furthest may experience shorter hospitalization times/rates, the available evidence does not uniformly assert negative effects of increased distance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Elisabeth T Tracy
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
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Huang D, Frank SJ, Verma V, Thaker NG, Brooks ED, Palmer MB, Harrison RF, Deshmukh AA, Ning MS. Cost-Effectiveness Models of Proton Therapy for Head and Neck: Evaluating Quality and Methods to Date. Int J Part Ther 2021; 8:339-353. [PMID: 34285960 PMCID: PMC8270103 DOI: 10.14338/ijpt-20-00058.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Proton beam therapy (PBT) is associated with less toxicity relative to conventional photon radiotherapy for head-and-neck cancer (HNC). Upfront delivery costs are greater, but PBT can provide superior long-term value by minimizing treatment-related complications. Cost-effectiveness models (CEMs) estimate the relative value of novel technologies (such as PBT) as compared with the established standard of care. However, the uncertainties of CEMs can limit interpretation and applicability. This review serves to (1) assess the methodology and quality of pertinent CEMs in the existing literature, (2) evaluate their suitability for guiding clinical and economic strategies, and (3) discuss areas for improvement among future analyses. MATERIALS AND METHODS PubMed was queried for CEMs specific to PBT for HNC. General characteristics, modeling information, and methodological approaches were extracted for each identified study. Reporting quality was assessed via the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards 24-item checklist, whereas methodologic quality was evaluated via the Philips checklist. The Cooper evidence hierarchy scale was employed to analyze parameter inputs referenced within each model. RESULTS At the time of study, only 4 formal CEMs specific to PBT for HNC had been published (2005, 2013, 2018, 2020). The parameter inputs among these various Markov cohort models generally referenced older literature, excluding many clinically relevant complications and applying numerous hypothetical assumptions for toxicity states, incorporating inputs from theoretical complication-probability models because of limited availability of direct clinical evidence. Case numbers among study cohorts were low, and the structural design of some models inadequately reflected the natural history of HNC. Furthermore, cost inputs were incomplete and referenced historic figures. CONCLUSION Contemporary CEMs are needed to incorporate modern estimates for toxicity risks and costs associated with PBT delivery, to provide a more accurate estimate of value, and to improve their clinical applicability with respect to PBT for HNC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danmeng Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Steven J. Frank
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vivek Verma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Eric D. Brooks
- University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Ross F. Harrison
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ashish A. Deshmukh
- Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Matthew S. Ning
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Haizel-Cobbina J, Spector LG, Moertel C, Parsons HM. Racial and ethnic disparities in survival of children with brain and central nervous tumors in the United States. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e28738. [PMID: 32970937 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite improvements in overall survival for pediatric cancers, treatment disparities remain for racial/ethnic minorities compared to non-Hispanic Whites; however, the impact of race on treatment outcomes for pediatric brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors in the United States is not well known. METHODS We included 8713 children aged 0-19 years with newly diagnosed primary brain and CNS tumors between 2000 and 2015 from the Census Tract-level SES and Rurality Database developed by Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. We used chi-square tests to assess differences in sociodemographic, cancer, and treatment characteristics by race/ethnicity and Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models to examine differences in 10-year survival, adjusting for these characteristics. RESULTS Among 8713 patients, 56.75% were non-Hispanic White, 9.59% non-Hispanic Black, 25.46% Hispanic, and 8.19% from "other" racial/ethnic groups. Median unadjusted survival for all pediatric brain tumors was 53 months, but varied significantly by race/ethnicity with a median survival of 62 months for non-Hispanic Whites, 41 months for non-Hispanic Blacks, and 40 months for Hispanic and other. Multivariable analyses demonstrated minority racial groups still had significantly higher hazard of death than non-Hispanic Whites; Hispanic (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.25 [1.18-1.31]); non-Hispanic Black (aHR 1.12 [1.04-1.21]); other (aHR 1.22 [1.12-1.32]). Results were consistent when stratified by tumor histology. CONCLUSION We identified disparities in survival among racial/ethnic minorities with pediatric brain and CNS tumors, with Hispanic patients having the highest risk of mortality. Eliminating these disparities requires commitment toward promoting heath equity and personalized cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Logan G Spector
- Division of Pediatric Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Christopher Moertel
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Helen M Parsons
- Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Kim MM, Irmen P, Shoniyozov K, Verginadis II, Cengel KA, Koumenis C, Metz JM, Dong L, Diffenderfer ES. Design and commissioning of an image-guided small animal radiation platform and quality assurance protocol for integrated proton and x-ray radiobiology research. Phys Med Biol 2019; 64:135013. [PMID: 31075786 PMCID: PMC8690893 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ab20d9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Small animal x-ray irradiation platforms are expanding the capabilities and future pathways for radiobiology research. Meanwhile, proton radiotherapy is transitioning to a standard treatment modality in the clinician’s precision radiotherapy toolbox, highlighting a gap between state-of-the-art clinical radiotherapy and small animal radiobiology research. Comparative research of the biological differences between proton and x-ray beams could benefit from an integrated small animal irradiation system for in vivo experiments and corresponding quality assurance (QA) protocols to ensure rigor and reproducibility. The objective of this study is to incorporate a proton beam into a small animal radiotherapy platform while implementing QA modelled after clinical protocols. A 225 kV x-ray small animal radiation research platform (SARRP) was installed on rails to align with a modified proton experimental beamline from a 230 MeV cyclotron-based clinical system. Collimated spread out Bragg peaks (SOBP) were produced with beam parameters compatible with small animal irradiation. Proton beam characteristics were measured and alignment reproducibility with the x-ray system isocenter was evaluated. A QA protocol was designed to ensure consistent proton beam quality and alignment. As a preliminary study, cellular damage via γ-H2AX immunofluorescence staining in an irradiated mouse tumor model was used to verify the beam range in vivo. The beam line was commissioned to deliver Bragg peaks with range 4–30 mm in water at 2 Gy min−1. SOBPs were delivered with width up to 25 mm. Proton beam alignment with the x-ray system agreed within 0.5 mm. A QA phantom was created to ensure reproducible alignment of the platform and verify beam delivery. γ-H2AX staining verified expected proton range in vivo. An image-guided small animal proton/x-ray research system was developed to enable in vivo investigations of radiobiological effects of proton beams, comparative studies between proton and x-ray beams, and investigations into novel proton treatment methods.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Children diagnosed with medulloblastoma (MB) who are refractory to upfront therapy or experience recurrence have very poor prognoses. Although phase I and phase II trials exist, these treatments bear significant treatment-related morbidity and mortality. METHODS A retrospective review of children diagnosed with a recurrence of MB from 2002 to 2015 at McMaster University was undertaken. RESULTS Recurrent disease in 10 patients involved leptomeningeal dissemination, with 3 experiencing local recurrence. In three recurrent patients the disease significantly progressed, and the children were palliated. The remaining 10 children underwent some form of salvage therapy, including surgical re-resection, radiation, and chemotherapy, either in isolation or in varying combinations. Of the 13 children experiencing treatment-refractory or recurrent disease, 4 are currently alive with a median follow-up of 38.5 months (75.5 months). Of the eight patients with molecular subgrouping data, none of the Wnt MB experienced recurrence. CONCLUSION Recurrent MB carried a poor prognosis with a 5-year overall survival (OS) of 18.2% despite the administration of salvage therapy. The upfront therapy received, available treatment, and tolerability of the proposed salvage therapy resulted in significant heterogeneity in the treatment of our recurrent cohort.
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Ryckman JM, Ganesan V, Kusi Appiah A, Zhang C, Verma V. National practice patterns of proton versus photon therapy in the treatment of adult patients with primary brain tumors in the United States. Acta Oncol 2019; 58:66-73. [PMID: 30280620 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2018.1512755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine patterns of care associated with the administration of proton versus photon therapy for adult patients with primary brain tumors in a large national cohort from the United States. METHODS The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for newly diagnosed primary brain tumors (2004-2014) in adult patients aged 18 and older receiving proton or photon radiotherapy. Clinical features, patient demographics and treatment parameters were extracted. Differences between groups were assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS In total, 73,073 patients were analyzed (n = 72,635 [99.4%] photon therapy, n = 438 [0.6%] proton therapy). On multivariable analysis of photon versus proton therapy, several factors predicted for receipt of proton therapy, including younger age (p = .041), highest income quartile (p = .007), treatment at academic institutions (p < .001), in regional facilities outside the Midwest/South (p < .001), diagnosis in more recent years (p = .003), fewer comorbidities (p < .001) and non-glioblastoma histology (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS There are several significant socioeconomic variables that influence receipt of proton therapy for primary brain tumors. Although not implying causation, the socioeconomic findings discovered herein should be taken into account when delivering cancer care to all patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M. Ryckman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Vaishnavi Ganesan
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Adams Kusi Appiah
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Vivek Verma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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