Black patients and those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds face significant disparities in accessing immunotherapy treatments for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the United States ((1)) ((2)) ((5)). This inequality in care access contributes to higher mortality rates among these patient populations.
Studies have shown that racial and ethnic disparities exist in the outcomes of metastatic cancer patients. These disparities persist even with the introduction of novel therapies, including immunotherapy, which has demonstrated remarkable success in treating various forms of cancer.
Research indicates that when Black patients do have access to immunotherapy, their survival rates are comparable to those of other racial groups ((3)). This finding suggests that the primary issue lies in the disparity of access to these advanced treatments rather than in their effectiveness across different racial groups.
he impact of socioeconomic factors on racial disparities in cancer treatment and survival has been a subject of ongoing research ((3)). These factors may include differences in insurance coverage, access to healthcare facilities, and other social determinants of health that affect a patient’s ability to receive timely and appropriate care.
Healthcare professionals and researchers are calling for increased efforts to address these disparities. By improving access to immunotherapy and other advanced treatments for Black patients and those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, there is potential to significantly reduce the mortality gap in NSCLC and other forms of cancer.
See “Racial, Socioeconomic Disparities in Patients With NSCLC Treated With Immunotherapy” (March 21, 2024)