Genetic Factors Implicated in Cancer Survival Disparity

The disparity in survival between black and white American cancer patients is not dependent on time of diagnosis or differences in standard of care. Even when they get identical medical treatment, African-Americans with breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer tend to die earlier than patients of other groups, a finding suggesting that biological or genetic factors play an important role.

An analytic study of almost 20,000 patient records from the Southwest Oncology Group's (San Antonio, TX, USA) database of 35 clinical trials found no statistical difference in survival based on correlation of genetic origin for several cancers: lung, colon, lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma. However, even with good treatment, black patients with one of breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer were more likely to die than patients of other groups, ranging from a 61% higher risk for ovarian cancer patients to a 21% higher risk for prostate cancer patients.

Ruling out quality of care and socioeconomic factors "implicates biology," said study coauthor Dr. Dawn L. Hershman, of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (New York, NY, USA). "There may be differences in genetic factors by race that alter the metabolism of chemotherapy drugs or that make cancers more resistant or more aggressive."

Related Links:
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Southwest Oncology Group