Yale Study Published in JNCCN Uncovers Racial Disparities in Treatment of Women with Breast Cancer
Researchers at Yale Cancer Center/Smilow Cancer Hospital found that black and Hispanic women in Connecticut are significantly less likely to undergo gene expression profiling than white women
FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a simple definition, cancer is a disease of the cells, which is caused by gene mutations. For a proportion of patients, including women with hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer, gene expression profiling has a substantial impact on treatment decision-making by determining which patients might—or might not—respond to particular treatment options.
Gene expression profiling tests are readily available, yet researchers recently found that white women with breast cancer are far more likely to receive a particular test—Oncotype Dx™ (ODx)—than black or Hispanic women with the same diagnosis. The study, "Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Oncotype Dx™ Test Receipt in a State-Wide Population-Based Study," led by Cary P. Gross, MD, Yale University School of Medicine and a member of Yale Cancer Center, is published in the March issue of JNCCN – Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
"Observed racial and ethnic disparities in Oncotype DX testing are particularly concerning given its potential to guide treatment decisions for women with early stage breast cancer. Unequal access to genetic testing has the potential to further exacerbate disparities in treatment quality, survival, and quality of life," said Dr. Gross.
Testing Within vs. Outside of the Guidelines
According to lead author Brigette Davis, MPH, the study built on existing research in two ways: identifying racial disparities in a state-wide, population-based analysis; and identifying the use of ODx among women for whom the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) recommend it, as well as among women for whom NCCN Guidelines® did not recommend testing. This distinction is important, Ms. Davis says, "because evidence-based guidelines are intended to remove subjectivity from clinical decision-making; utilization outside of these guidelines further highlights how nonclinical factors may impact outcomes and costs for patients and payers."
The team looked at a cohort of more than 8,000 women across the state of Connecticut who were diagnosed with HR+ breast cancer between 2011 and 2013. Among those women, Dr. Gross and colleagues performed a retrospective analysis of race, ethnicity, and ODx receipt, dividing the population among those who did and did not qualify for ODx testing according to the NCCN Guidelines for Breast Cancer.
Among the population, more than 80% of the patients were white, 6.3% were black, and 7.4% were Hispanic. Researchers found that for the NCCN Guidelines-recommended group, white patients were more likely to receive ODx testing than black and Hispanic women: 51.4% vs. 44.6% and 47.7%. Even after further adjusting for tumor and clinical characteristics, researchers observed significantly lower ODx use among black and Hispanic women compared with white women in the recommended group. Significant testing variation between the white, black, and Hispanic patients were also noted in the non-Guidelines-recommended group: 21.2% vs. 9.0% and 9.7%, respectively.
"Understanding and mitigating racial barriers to gene expression testing in women with breast cancer is imperative to narrowing disparities in breast cancer outcomes," said Dr. Gross. "Our study reinforces the notion that at the same time the scientific community is discovering exciting new ways to help prevent or treat breast cancer, our broader community of clinicians and policy makers must ensure that these breakthroughs are accessible for all patients who need them, regardless of the color of their skin, their nation of origin, or the size of their bank account."
Overuse of Oncotype DX Testing
In addition to racial disparities, the study uncovered significant use of ODx outside NCCN Guidelines recommendations—confirming earlier concern about overuse of genetic profiling in patients with breast cancer. As outlined in the study, between 2011 and 2013, the NCCN Guidelines for Breast Cancer did not recommend ODx for patients with higher-risk disease, yet more than 18%—or 1,100 women—received ODx testing.
Amy E. Cyr, MD, of Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine and a member of the NCCN Guidelines Panel for Breast Cancer noted, "Papers like this are important to make us aware of our practice patterns; I expect that most physicians do not perceive that they use these tests differently when caring for minority women. Stricter adherence to treatment guidelines should reduce such racial disparity. We cannot address disparity in outcomes without addressing disparity in treatment patterns."
"Reports such as this Yale study of racial and ethnic disparities regarding Oncotype testing are important for the medical community to receive and digest," said Benjamin O. Anderson, MD, of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Vice-Chair of the NCCN Guidelines Panel for Breast Cancer. "Patients who have a complete understanding—without fear—of their treatment options, are more likely to seek and receive the care they need. As clinicians who educate each patient about their care, the solution is very much in our hands."
This study was funded by the American Cancer Society.
About JNCCN – Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
More than 24,000 oncologists and other cancer care professionals across the United States read JNCCN–Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. This peer-reviewed, indexed medical journal provides the latest information about best clinical practices, health services research, and translational medicine. JNCCN features updates on the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®), review articles elaborating on guidelines recommendations, health services research, and case reports highlighting molecular insights in patient care. JNCCN is published by Harborside Press. Visit JNCCN.org. To inquire if you are eligible for a FREE subscription to JNCCN, visit http://www.nccn.org/jnccn/subscribe.asp
About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), a not-for-profit alliance of 27 of the world's leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education, is dedicated to improving the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of cancer care so that patients can live better lives. Through the leadership and expertise of clinical professionals at NCCN Member Institutions, NCCN develops resources that present valuable information to the numerous stakeholders in the health care delivery system. As the arbiter of high-quality cancer care, NCCN promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers.
The NCCN Member Institutions are: Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center/University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland, OH; City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA; Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center | Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC; Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA; Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ, Jacksonville, FL, and Rochester, MN; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL; The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH; Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY; Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital/The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA; University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center, Birmingham, AL; UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA; UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA; University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, CO; University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI; Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN; and Yale Cancer Center/Smilow Cancer Hospital, New Haven, CT.
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SOURCE National Comprehensive Cancer Network
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