Disparities in Biomarker Testing and Clinical Trial Enrollment Among Patients With Lung, Breast, or Colorectal Cancers in the United States

PURPOSE Comprehensive tumor biomarker testing is a fundamental step in the selection of highly effective molecularly driven therapies for a variety of solid tumors. The primary objective of this study was to examine racial differences in biomarker testing and clinical trial participation in the United States using a real-world database. METHODS Patients in a real-world deidentified database diagnosed with advanced/metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), or metastatic breast cancer were eligible. Biomarker testing and clinical trial participation was compared between Black and White racial groups using chi-squared test and stepwise logistic regression controlling for baseline covariates. RESULTS A total of 23,488 patients met eligibility criteria. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing rates differed significantly between White versus Black race before first-line therapy (36.6% v 29.7%, P,.0001) and at any given time (54.7% v 43.8%, P,.0001) in the nonsquamous NSCLC cohort. Similar disparities in NGS testing rates at any time during the study were observed among patients with CRC (White 51.6%; Black 41.8%, P,.0001). No differences were observed in the breast cancer cohort. Patients of Black race were less likely to be treated in a clinical trial in the overall NSCLC cohort when compared with White counterparts (3.9% v 2.1%, P =.0002). A statistically significant relationship between biomarker/NGS testing and clinical trial enrollment was observed in all cohorts (P,.003) after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSION In a real-world database, significant disparities in NGS-based testing rates were observed between Black and White races in NSCLC and CRC. NGS and any biomarker testing were both associated with trial enrollment in all cohorts. There is a need for interventions to promote access to comprehensive testing for patients with advanced/metastatic tumors. (c) 2022 by American Society of Clinical Oncology

Automated summary

This study analyzed the racial differences in biomarker testing and clinical trial participation among Black and White patients using a real-world database. The results showed significant disparities in NGS-based testing rates between Black and White patients with NSCLC and CRC. Black patients were less likely to participate in clinical trials. Interventions are needed to promote access to comprehensive testing for patients with advanced/metastatic tumors.