CONTEXT: Further evidence of ancestry-based disparities in cancer treatment from this study, believed to be the largest of it’s type so far. The analysis of data from over 11,000 men with advanced prostate cancer alongside a subset of 897 patients with real-world data showed genomic alterations were largely similar across ancestry. However, men of African ancestry were less likely to receive a clinical study drug and received a median of two lines of therapy compared to one line in men of European ancestry. A familiar pattern in oncology treatment and one that does seem to affect outcomes for individual patients.
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1. “The study analyzed 11,741 men with advanced prostate cancer who received CGP as part of routine clinical care, along with a subset of 897 patients with real-world clinical data from Foundation Medicine and Flatiron Health’s joint clinico-genomic database (CGDB).”
2. “CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Foundation Medicine, Inc. and its collaborators announced today the presentation of new data analyzing the genomic landscape, comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) utilization and treatment patterns among more than 11,000 men with advanced prostate cancer, including 12% with a predicted African genomic ancestry.”
3. ““Men of African ancestry experience the greatest burden of disease in prostate cancer, and this research indicates that differences in cancer care are not solely based on biological factors, but rather points to socioeconomic factors such as access to comprehensive genomic profiling and clinical trial enrollment,” said study investigator Brandon Mahal, M.D., Assistant Professor, Radiation Oncology and Assistant Director of Community Outreach and Engagement, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.”
4. “”The results contribute to our knowledge of comprehensive genomic profiling and real-world data to better understand the barriers patients face in accessing quality cancer care – a critical step toward addressing persistent disparities,” added Jessica Lee, study co-lead and scientist at Foundation Medicine.”
5. “A full list of research being presented by Foundation Medicine and its collaborators at ASCO21 can be found at Foundation Medicine . Foundation Medicine is a molecular information company dedicated to a transformation in cancer care in which treatment is informed by a deep understanding of the genomic changes that contribute to each patient’s unique cancer.”