To identify whether there was a disparity in the utilization of immunotherapy in the treatment of black patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Using the National Cancer Database, we identified patients between 2010- 2015 with likely minimally/asymptomatic mCRPC. We analyzed annual trends for chemotherapy and immunotherapy use and compared utilization by demographic and clinical features. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine predictors of receiving immunotherapy vs chemotherapy.
We identified 1301 patients with likely mCRPC. The majority were non Hispanic White (NHW - 63 %) and 23 % were non-Hispanic Black (NHB). Overall, there was increased utilization of immunotherapy in mCRPC from 2010 onwards, with the peak occurring in 2014 (4.6 %). Chemotherapy use increased significantly, peaking in 2014 to 26.1 %. However, the increased utilization of immunotherapy in the mCRPC was mainly seen in White patients: from 50 % to 74.2 % of the cohort. Conversely, there was a decrease in utilization of immunotherapy among Black mCPRC patients: from 50 % to 25.8 %. On multivariable analysis, there was no statistically significant difference between treatment types by race.
FDA approval of Sipuleucel-T for mCRPC led to increased utilization of immunotherapy shortly thereafter, but this was mainly noted in white patients. Black patients comparatively did not exhibit increased utilization of this novel agent after 2010. Further studies are necessary to help understand barriers to access to new treatment in mCRPC and eliminate the burden of disease in minority populations."
Journal of the National Medical Association. 2023 Oct 28 [Epub ahead of print]
Ali Mouzannar, Jessica Delgado, Deukwoo Kwon, Venkatasai S Atluri, Matthew M Mason, Nachiketh S Prakash, Wei Zhao, Bruno Nahar, Sanjaya Swain, Sanoj Punnen, Mark L Gonzalgo, Dipen J Parekh, Leslie A Deane, Chad R Ritch
Department of Urology, USA. Electronic address: ., Department of Urology, USA., Biostatistics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th Street, 15th Floor, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1475 NW 12th Ave, Miami, FL 33136, USA., Biostatistics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th Street, 15th Floor, Miami, FL 33136, USA., Department of Urology, USA; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1475 NW 12th Ave, Miami, FL 33136, USA.